internal craniocervical ligaments and joints

Apical ligament location

spans dens to foramen magnum

alar ligament location and function

dens to lateral margins of foramen magnum

resists rotation of the head

cruciate ligament location

connects C2 to C1 - atlanto axial joint

what does cruciate mean

cross

what is the crossbar of the cruciate ligament

transverse ligament

transverse ligament location and function

spans between the tubercles of lateral masses of C1

keeps dens of C2 against arch of C1

upper post of cruciate ligament

superior longitudinal band

superior longitudinal band location

connects to occipital bone

lower post of cruciate ligament

inferior longitudinal band

location of inferior longitudinal band

anchors into C2

tectorial membrane

continuation of posterior longitudinal ligament (C2-sacrum)

articulations of atlanto occipital joint

1. C1 and occiput

2. superior articular facet and condyles

atlanto occipital joint type

condyloid synovial joint

reinforcing ligaments of atlanto occipital joint

1. posterior atlanto occipital membrane

2. anterior atlanto occipital membrane

3. tectorial membrane

primary movement of atlanto occipital joint

flexion and extension (head nodding)

secondary movements of atlanto occipital joint

minimal side bending and rotation

articualtions of atlanto axial joint

1. inferior lateral masses of C1 and superior facets of C2

2. dens of C2 and anterior arch of C1

atlanto axial lateral joint type

plane synovial joint

atlanto axial medial joint type

pivot synovial joint

unique characteristic of atlanto axial joint

no disc

movement of atlanto axial joint

rotation