I302 • A MANUAL OF ANATOMY 



The transverse ligament is usually spoken of as the transverse 

 ligament of the atlas. It represents the transverse portion of the 

 cruciform ligament, to be presently referred to, and it constitutes 

 a strong band, which is attached on either side to the tubercle on 

 the inner aspect of the lateral mass of the atlas. It is arched back- 

 wards behind the odontoid process, and at the median line it is 

 connected on the posterior aspect with the crura of the vertical 

 portion of the cruciform ligament. Between the ligament and the 

 odontoid process there is an extensive synovial membrane, which 

 extends well over each lateral aspect of the process, so as to come 

 very near another synovial membrane between the front of the 

 process and the anterior arch of the atlas. 



The capsular ligaments are loose sacs which surround the articula- 



External Occipital Crest 



; Posterior Occipito-atlantal Ligament 



^^ 1 ^^& ' Posterior Tubercle of Atlas 



.Vertebral Artery 

 (third part) 



Atlanto-axial 



Capsule 

 Posterior 

 Atlanto-axial Ligament 



Spine of Axis 



Fig. 541. — The Occipital, Atlantal, and Axial Ligaments 

 (Superficial Posterior View). 



tions between the inferior articular processes of the atlas and the 

 superior articular processes of the axis. 



The accessory ligaments are two in number — right and left. Each! 

 extends from the posterior surface of the body of the axis, close toi 

 the root of the odontoid process, to the inner and posterior part of 

 the lateral mass of the atlas. The direction of each ligament i< 

 upwards and outwards, and it is closely related superiorly to tli' 

 capsular ligament, which it strengthens internally and posteriori) 

 The accessory ligaments are auxiliary in function to the check liga 

 ments, and take part in limiting rotation of the atlas upon the axis 



The anterior atlanto-axial ligament, broad, thin, and mem 

 branous, is attached superiorly along the lower margin of tin 

 anterior arch of the atlas, and interiorly to the anterior aspect (> 

 the body of the axis. It is serially continuous with the anteriu 



