Table 1 Anatomically discernible ligaments related to the craniocervical junction and MRI discernibility as discrete ligamentous structures, and relative contribution to stability of the craniocervical junction (in isolation)
From: The craniocervical junction: embryology, anatomy, biomechanics and imaging in blunt trauma
Anatomical ligaments of the craniocervical junction | MRI-discernible | Stability contribution |
|---|---|---|
Tectorial membrane | + | ++ |
Alar ligament | + | ++ |
Cruciform (cruciate) ligament - transverse | + | ++ |
Cruciform (cruciate) ligament - longitudinal | +/− | +/− |
Apical ligament | +/− | +/− |
Barkow ligament | +/− | + |
Atlanto-occipital capsular ligament | + | + |
Atlanto-axial capsular ligament | + | + |
Anterior atlanto-occipital membrane | + | + |
Posterior atlanto-occipital membrane | + | + |
Anterior atlanto-axial membrane | + | + |
Nuchal ligament (ligamentum nuchae) | + | + |
Lateral atlanto-occipital ligament | − | − |
Accessory atlanto-axial ligament | − | − |
Transverse occipital ligament | − | − |