Atlanto-occipital joint
| Atlanto-occipital joint | |
|---|---|
skeletal | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | articulatio atlantooccipitalis |
| MeSH | D001269 |
| TA98 | A03.1.08.001 |
| TA2 | 1630 |
| FMA | 24939 |
| Anatomical terminology] | |
The atlanto-occipital joint (Capsula articularis atlantooccipitalis) is an articulation between the
Structure
The atlanto-occipital joint is an articulation between the
Ligaments
The ligaments connecting the bones are:
- Two articular capsules
- Posterior atlanto-occipital membrane
- Anterior atlanto-occipital membrane
Capsule
The capsules of the atlantooccipital articulation surround the
Function
The movements permitted in this joint are:
- (a) extensionaround the mediolateral axis, which give rise to the ordinary forward and backward nodding of the head.
- (b) slight lateral motion, lateroflexion, to one or other side around the anteroposterior axis.
Flexion is produced mainly by the action of the
The recti laterales are concerned in the lateral movement, assisted by the trapezius, splenius capitis, semispinalis capitis, and the sternocleidomastoideus of the same side, all acting together.
Clinical significance
Dislocation
The atlanto-occipital joint may be dislocated, especially from violent accidents such as traffic collisions.[1] This may be diagnosed using CT scans or magnetic resonance imaging of the head and neck.[1] Surgery may be used to fix the joint and any associated bone fractures.[1] Neck movement may be reduced long after this injury.[1] Such injuries may also lead to hypermobility, which may be diagnosed with radiographs.[2] This is especially true if traction is used during treatment.[2]
Additional images
-
Occipital bone. Outer surface.
References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 295 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
- ^ ISSN 0301-620X.
- ^ PMID 740387 – via ScienceDirect.
