Membrana atlantooccipitalis anterior Membrana atlantooccipitalis posterior
Atlas Capsula articulationis atlantoaxialis lateralis
Articulatio zygapophysealis (opened)
Lig. longitudinale anterius
Capsula articulationis zygapophysealis Vertebrae prominens Discus intervertebralis
Lig. interspinalc
Lig. supraspinale — Fovea costalis transversalis
186. Ligaments and joints of vertebral column (ligamenta, juncturae et articulationes columnae vertebralis); right side, lateral aspect (%).
4. The ligamentum nuchae (see Fig. 186) is a thin triangular band of elastic and connective-tissue fibres. It ascends from the spinous process of the prominent vertebra along the .spinous pro cesses of the cervical vertebrae and, expanding, is attached to the external occipital crest and the external occipital protuberance. 5. The intertransverse ligaments (Hgamenta intertransversaria)
(see Fig. 184) are thin bands which are poorly developed in the cervical and partly in the ihoracic segments but are stronger in the lumbar part. They are paired ligaments joining the apices ol the transverse processes of adjacent vertebrae and limiting flexion of the spine to the contralatcral side. In the cervical segment they may be bifid or may be absent completely.
THE SACROCOCCYGEAL JOINT The sacrococcygeal joint (junctura sacrococcygea) forms between This synchondrosis is strengthened by the following ligaments the bodies of the fifth sacral and first coccygeal vertebrae; the sac(see Figs 218-219). rococcygeal synchondrosis contains a small cavity in the intervene1. The lateral sacrococcygeal ligament (ligamentum sacrococcybral disc. geum laterale) stretches between the transverse processes of the last