Craniovertebral Joints

Question 0

Location of Atlanto-occipital Joints

Answer 0

between the lateral masses of C1 and the occipital condyles.

Question 1

What do the Craniovertebral joints include?

Answer 1

Atlanto-occipital Joints (between the atlas and occipital bone)

Atlanto-axial Joints (between C1 and C2 vertebrae)

Question 2

What do the atlanto-occipital joints do?

Answer 2

Main action is flexion with a little lateral flexion. Some rotation

Permit nodding of the head.

Question 3

Anterior and posterior atlanto-occipital joints

Answer 3

connect the cranium and C1. Extend from the anterior and posterior arches of C1 to the anterior and posterior margins of the formamen magnum.

Question 4

How many atlanto-axial Joints are there?

Answer 4

Three
Lateral atlanto-axial joints(right and left) between the lateral masses of C1 an the super facets of C2.

Median atlanto-axial joint between the dens of C2 and the anterior arch and transverse ligament of the atlas.

Question 5

Transverse ligament of the atlas

Answer 5

A strong band extending between the tubercles on the medial aspects of the lateral masses of the C1 vertebrae.

Question 6

Tectorial Membrane

Answer 6

Strong superior continuation of the posterior longitudinal ligament across the median atlanto-axial joint through the foramen magnum to the central floor of the cranial cavity.