Corpus: Lateral atlantooccipital ligament

The Ligamentum atlantooccipitale laterale is a ligament on the lateral aspect of the atlantooccipital joint.

The lateral atlantooccipital ligament originates at the anterolateral aspect of the transverse process of the atlas. The ligament attaches to the jugular process of the occipital bone and is located directly behind the rectus capitis lateralis muscle in the opposite direction to the fibres.

Posteriorly, the ligament has a direct connection to the vertebral artery and anteriorly to the pathways from the jugular foramen.

The atlantooccipital ligament inhibits lateral flexion and stabilises the atlantooccipital joint. A rupture of this ligament leads to instability of the joint.

• Tubbs et al, The lateral atlantooccipital ligament, Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2007