274 



THE ARTICULATIONS, OR JOINTS 



The anterior atlanto-axial ligament (Figs. 224 and 228) is a strong, membranous 

 layer, attached, above, to the lower border of the anterior arch of the atlas; below, 

 to the base of the odontoid process and to the front of the body of the axis. It is 

 strengthened in the middle line by a rounded cord, which is attached, above, 

 to the tubercle on the anterior arch of the atlas, and below to the body of the axis, 

 being a continuation upward of the anterior common ligament of the vertebral 

 column. The ligament is in relation, in front, with the Recti antici majores. 



The posterior atlanto-axial ligament (Figs. 225 and 228) is a broad and thin 

 membranous layer, attached, above, to the lower border of the posterior arch 

 of the atlas; below, to the upper edge of the lamina? of the axis. This ligament 

 supplies the place of the ligamenta subflava, and is in relation, behind, with the 

 Inferior oblique muscles. 



The transverse ligament of the atlas 1 (ligamentum transversum atlantis) (Figs. 

 227 and 228) is a thick, strong band, which arches across the ring of the atlas, 

 and serves to retain the odontoid process in firm connection with its anterior 



PHARYNGEAL 



TUBERCLE BASI LAB PORTION OF 



OCCIPITAL BONE 



ANTERIOR OCCIPITO- 

 ATLANTAL LIGAME 



JOINT BETWEEN 



BODY OF VERTEBRA 



AND INTERVER-. 



TEBRAL FIBRO- 



CARTILAGE 



ANTERIOR CONDYLOID 

 FORAMEN 



OCC I PITO- ATLANTA L 

 ARTICULATION 



TRANSVERSE 

 PROCESS OF 

 ATLAS 



TER10R ATLANTO- 

 AXIAL LIGAMENT 



TRANSVERSE 

 PROCESS OF 

 AXIS 



TRANSVERSE PROCESS 

 OF THIRD CERVICAL 

 VERTEBRA 



INTERVERTEBRAL 

 FI8ROCARTILAGE 



ANTERIOR COMMON 

 LIGAMENT 



FIG. 224. Occipital bone and first three cervical vertebra with ligaments, from in front. (Spalteholz.) 



arch. This ligament is flattened from before backward, broader and thicker in 

 the middle than at either extremity, and firmly attached on each side to a small 

 tubercle on the inner surface of the lateral mass of the atlas. As it crosses the 

 odontoid process, a small fasciculus is derived from its upper, and another from 

 its lower border; the former passing upward, to be inserted into the anterior sur- 

 face of the foramen magnum of the occipital bone; the latter, downward, to be 

 attached to the posterior surface of the body of the axis; hence, the whole ligament 

 has received the name of cruciform ligament (ligamentum cruciatum atlantis). 

 A synovial surface is interposed between the odontoid process and the trans- 

 verse ligament, and one is placed between the anterior surface of the odontoid 



1 It has been found necessary to describe the transverse ligament with those of the atlas and axis; but the 

 student must remember that it is really a portion of the mechanism by which the movements of the head on 

 the vertebral column are regulated; so that the connections between the atlas and axis ought always to be studied 

 together with those between the latter bones and the skull. 



