Cruciate Ligament of Atlas

Description

The cruciform ligament of atlas (cruciate may substitute for cruciform) is a cruciate ligament in the neck forming part of the atlanto-axial joint. The ligament is named as such because it is in the shape of a cross. It consists of two bands: longitudinal band transverse band

Anatomy

Atlas osteology atlas (C1) is a ring containing two articular lateral masses it lacks a vertebral body or a spinous process embryology forms from 3 ossification centers anatomic variation incomplete formation of the posterior arch is a relatively common anatomic variant and does not represent a traumatic injury

Function

It is an important ligament that holds the posterior dens of C2 in articulation at the atlanto-axial joint. It lies behind a large synovial bursa (surrounded by loose fibrous capsule) consists of two bands:

longitudinal band: joins the body of the C2 (axis) to the foramen magnum transverse band: attaches to the inner margin of the C1 (atlas) lateral masses on both sides.

Atlas Fracture

Epidemiology make up ~7% of cervical spine fractures risk of neurologic injury is low commonly missed due to inadequate imaging of occipitocervical junction Pathophysiology mechanism includes hyperextension, lateral compression, and axial compression Associated conditions spine fracture 50% have an associated spine injury 40% associated with axis fx Prognosis stability dependent on degree of injury and healing potential of transverse ligament.

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

Anatomy of Spinal Vertebrae Tutorial Archived 2007-10-10 at the Wayback Machine.

Federative Committee on Anatomical Terminology (1998). Terminologia anatomica: international anatomical terminology. Thieme. pp. 27–. ISBN 978-3-13-114361-7. Retrieved 17 June 2010.

http://www.orthobullets.com/spine/2015/atlas-fracture-and-transverse-ligament-injuries