Alar ligament
Last revised by Craig Hacking on 29 Oct 2020
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Wong A, Hacking C, Bell D, et al. Alar ligament. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 30 Nov 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-36584
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rID:
36584
Article created:
30 Apr 2015, Aaron Wong
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Aaron Wong had no recorded disclosures.
View Aaron Wong's current disclosuresLast revised:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Craig Hacking had no recorded disclosures.
View Craig Hacking's current disclosuresRevisions:
10 times, by 8 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
Synonyms:
- Alar ligaments
The alar ligaments join the lateral margins of the sloping upper posterior margin of the dens of C2 to the lateral margins of the foramen magnum (adjacent to the occipital condyles) and lie on either side of the apical ligament. They may be oblique or vertical and are thickest at the occipital attachment. They are paired ligaments that are very strong and limit axial rotation and contralateral lateral flexion of the head.
In conjunction with the transverse band of the cruciform ligament, they are the primary stabilizers of the atlantoaxial joint 2.
Related pathology
References
- 1. McMINN. Lasts Anatomy Regional and Applied. CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE. (2003) ISBN:B0084AQDG8. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 2. Offiah CE, Day E. The craniocervical junction: embryology, anatomy, biomechanics and imaging in blunt trauma. Insights into imaging. 8 (1): 29-47. doi:10.1007/s13244-016-0530-5 - Pubmed
Incoming Links
Articles:
- Apical ligament
- Lateral atlantodental instability
- Occipital condyle fracture
- Whiplash syndrome
- Atlanto-axial articulation
- Alar ligament calcification
- Foramen magnum
- Atlanto-occipital dissociation injuries
- Supraodontoid space
- Crowned dens syndrome
- Cruciate ligament of the atlas
- Cervical spine ligaments
- Persistent ossiculum terminale
- Axis (C2)
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osteology
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- spinal canal
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anatomical variants
- vertebral body
- neural arch
- transitional vertebrae
- ossicles
- ossification centers
- intervertebral disc
- articulations
- ligaments
- musculature of the vertebral column
- muscles of the neck
- muscles of the back
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suboccipital muscle group
- rectus capitis posterior major muscle
- rectus capitis posterior minor muscle
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spinal cord
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white matter tracts (white matter)
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dorsal columns
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