Description
The lateral masses are the two expanded, oval, laterally located parts of the atlas (first cervical vertebra). They are both continuous:
—anteromedially, with the anterior arch of atlas;
—posteromedially, with the posterior arch of atlas;
—laterally, with a transverse process.
On its corresponding side, each lateral mass of atlas:
—consists of superior and inferior articular facets and a transverse ligament tubercle; —provides an origin site for a rectus capitis anterior muscle and an attachment site for the transverse ligament of atlas;
—articulates superiorly with an occipital condyle, forming an atlantooccipital joint;
—articulates inferiorly with a superior articular process of the axis, forming a lateral atlantoaxial joint.
Related parts of the anatomy
