Corpus: Alar ligament
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Synonyms: Wing ligaments, Ligamenta alaria articulationis atlantoaxialis medianae, Mauchart ligament
English:
Definition[Bearbeiten]
The ligamenta alaria are short, rough ligaments in the area of the cervical spine.
Anatomy[Bearbeiten]
The alar ligaments extend from the dorsolateral surface of the tip of the dens to the ventromedial edge of the condyles of the occipital bone at the edge of the foramen magnum. Its caudal fibres insert at the lateral massa of the atlas (1st cervical vertebra). The right and left ligaments form an angle of approximately 170°.
Function[Bearbeiten]
The ligamenta alaria primarily have a braking and holding function. In the neutral position, some fibres are taut, others are relaxed. They limit the flexion and axial rotation of the skull in relation to the cervical spine.