268 



HEALTH AND DISEASE 



on the anterior face of the atlas. This joint is enclosed in a capsular liga- 

 ment (one to each condyle) and is further supported by small muscles 

 passing over it above and below (fig. 350). 



Atlo-Axoid. The atlo-axoid joint is formed by the projection of the 



Fig. 350. Ocoipito-Atloid Articulation 



1, Occipital Bone. 2, Atlas (the upper wall removed to show the odontoid ligament). 3, Axis 

 or Dontata. 4, Third cervical vertebra. 5, Capsular ligament. 6, Odontoid ligament. 7, Fibrous 

 capsule (partly removed). 8, Interspinous ligament. 9, Fibrous capsule, uniting the articular 

 processes of the vertebrae. 



odontoid process of the axis into the ring of the atlas, where it is retained 

 by the odontoid ligament (fig. 351). Other ligaments, the superior and 

 inferior atlo-axoid and the capsular, also enter into the structure of the 

 articulation. 



