Corpus: Atlantooccipital joint

The atlantooccipital joint is the joint between the first cervical vertebra (atlas) and the occipital bone. It is part of the upper cervical joint and the craniocervical junction.

The atlantooccipital joint is an ovoid joint that primarily enables flexion and extension, i.e. nodding movements. It is formed by the articular surfaces located on the upper side of the lateral masses of the atlas and the articular surfaces of the occipital bone (occipital condyle).

The atlantooccipital joint is stabilised by a flaccid joint capsule, the fibres of which are reinforced ventrally, laterally and dorsally in a band-like manner. They are known as:

• Anterior atlantooccipital ligament
• Lateral atlantooccipital ligament
• Posterior atlantooccipital ligament

Additional stabilisation is provided by the cruciform ligament of atlas.

Ligamentous injury to the atlantooccipital joint can lead to atlantooccipital dislocation (AOD). Complete rupture of the craniocervical junction is referred to as atlantooccipital dissociation.

• Pschyrembel - Condylus occipitalis, accessed 07/01/2022