Lateral Atlantooccipital Ligament (Right)
Ligamentum atlantooccipitale laterale
Read moreStructure
Fibers of the lateral atlantooccipital ligament run medial to lateral, between the lateral pert of the occipital bone to the transverse process of the first cervical vertebra (Tubbs et al, 2007).
Related parts of the anatomy
Anatomical Relations
The lateral atlantooccipital ligament lies immediately deep to rectus capitis lateralis muscle. It runs from the inferior surface of the lateral part of the occipital bone, posterior to the jugular process, to the superior surface of the transverse process of the atlas.
Function
The lateral atlantooccipital ligament limits the movement of the atlantooccipital joint, preventing anterior or posterior displacement of the cranium in relation to the spinal column.
References
Tubbs, R. S., Stetler, W., Shoja, M. M., Loukas, M., Hansasuta, A., Liechty, P., Acakpo-Satchivi, L., Wellons, J. C., Blount, J. P., Salter, E. G. and Oakes, W. J. (2007) 'The lateral atlantooccipital ligament', Surg Radiol Anat, 29(3), pp. 219-23.
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Joint Ligament
Entheseal structures are widely located throughout the body and are represented by the interface between bone and several tissues including tendon, joint capsules and ligaments.
