360 HEAD AND NECK 



The ligaments connecting these three bones together may 

 be divided into three main groups, as follows : 



(Anterior longitudinal. 

 Ligamenta flava. 

 Capsular. 

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Accessory ligaments of the atlanto - epis- 

 tropheal joints. 



Anterior longitudinal ligament. 

 Anterior occipito-atlantal membrane. 



Ligaments connecting occi- 

 pital bone with atlas, . . 



Posterior occipito-atlantal membrane. 

 Transverse part of cruciate ligament with 



superior crus. 

 Capsular. 



IMembrana tectoria. 

 Superior and inferior crura of the cruciate 

 ligament. 

 Alar. 

 Apical. 



Anterior Longitudinal Ligament (Fig. 144). This is a 

 continuation upwards of the common anterior longitudinal 

 ligament. Below, it is attached to the anterior aspect of 

 the body of the epistropheus, whilst above, it is fixed to the 

 anterior arch of the atlas. It is thick and strong in the 

 middle, but thins off towards the sides. 



Ligamenta Flava. These fill the interval between the 

 laminae of the epistropheus and the posterior arch of the 

 atlas, to the contiguous margins of which they are attached. 

 They are broader and more membranous than the ligamenta 

 flava at lower levels. 



Capsulse Articulares. These are somewhat lax, and are 

 attached to the margins of the articular processes. 



Membrana Atlanto-Occipitalis Anterior (Fig. 144). This 

 membrane extends from the upper border of the anterior arch 

 of the atlas to the under surface of the basilar portion of the 

 occipital bone, anterior to the foramen magnum. On each 

 side of the median plane it is thin and membranous, and 

 stretches laterally so as to abut against the atlanto-occipital 

 capsular ligament. In the median plane it is strengthened 

 by the upper part of the anterior longitudinal ligament. 



Membrana Atlanto-Occipitalis Posterior. This is a thin and 

 weak membrane which occupies the gap between the posterior 

 arch of the atlas and the posterior border of the foramen 

 magnum, to both of which it is attached. It is very firmly 



