Description
There is only one median atlantoaxial joint in comparison to the two lateral joints. This joint is a synovial pivot joint and describes the articulation of the dens at two points.
—Anteriorly, the dens articulates with the posterior aspect of the anterior arch of the atlas. This is through an oval-shaped facet for the dens (or facet for odontoid process).
—Posteriorly, the dens articulates with the anterior surface of the transverse ligament of the atlas (Ebraheim et al., 1997).
Related parts of the anatomy
References
Ebraheim, N. A., Yang, H., Lu, J., Biyani, A. and Yeasting, R. A. (1997) 'Cartilage and synovium of the human atlanto-odontoid joint. An anatomic and histological study', Acta Anat (Basel), 159(1), pp. 48-56.
