Alar ligament
In anatomy, the alar ligaments are ligaments which connect the dens (a bony protrusion on the second cervical vertebra) to tubercles on the medial side of the occipital condyle.
| Alar ligament | |
|---|---|
Membrana tectoria, transverse, and alar ligaments. Alar ligament labeled at center right | |
| Details | |
| From | Sides of the dens (on the axis, or the second cervical vertebra) |
| To | Tubercles on the medial side of the occipital condyle |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | ligamenta alaria |
| TA98 | A03.2.04.002 |
| TA2 | 1695 |
| FMA | 71395 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
They are short, tough, fibrous cords that attach on the skull and on the axis, and function to check side-to-side movements of the head when it is turned. Because of their function, the alar ligaments are also known as the "check ligaments of the odontoid".
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