What is atlanto Odontoid joint?

The atlanto-axial joint is a joint between the atlas bone and the axis bone, which are the first and second cervical vertebrae. It is a pivot joint. There is a pivot articulation between the odontoid process of the axis and the ring formed by the anterior arch and the transverse ligament of the atlas.

What does the atlantoaxial joint do?

The C1 C2 spinal motion segment, also called the atlantoaxial joint, is located in the upper portion of the cervical spine. It consists of the C1 and C2 vertebrae, and the anatomical structures connecting them. This segment provides rotational motion, supports the head, and protects the spinal cord and nerve pathways.

What joint is the atlantoaxial joint?

Abstract. The atlantoaxial joints are the paired articulations between the inferior articulating processes of the atlas and the superior articulating processes of the axis. These joints are primarily responsible for the 0 to 45 degrees of lateral rotation in each direction of the cervical spine.

What is the odontoid process?

The odontoid process, or dens, is a superior projecting bony element from the second cervical vertebrae (C2, or the axis). The first cervical vertebrae (atlas) rotates around the odontoid process to provide the largest single component of lateral rotation of the cervical spine.

Is the atlantoaxial joint synovial?

It consists of three distinct, synovial joints: one medial joint and two lateral atlantoaxial joints. The median atlantoaxial joint’s structure is formed by the dens of C1 vertebrae and two ligamentous structures anteriorly and posteriorly.

What is alar and transverse ligaments?

The alar ligament restrains rotation of the upper cervical spine, whereas the transverse ligament restricts flexion as well as anterior displacement of the atlas. A lesion in one or both structures can produce damage to the neural structures and/or cause pain.

What is a Odontoid?

Odontoid = A peg-like part of the second bone in the neck. Fracture = A break in a bone. A type II odontoid fracture is a break that occurs through a specific part of C2, the second bone in the neck. Bones of the spine are called vertebrae.

What is the Odontoid bone?

The odontoid process, also known as the dens, is an upward projectile of bone that arises from the front part of the center of the axis vertebra. (The axis is the 2nd highest spinal bone.) The atlas is the first bone of your neck; it sits on top of the axis. (The skull sits on top of the atlas.)

What is the atlanto-axial joint?

The atlanto-axial joint is a joint between the first and second cervical vertebrae; the Atlas and Axis. It is a complex joint made up of three synovial joints and constitutes the most mobile articulation of the spine.

Is the prevalence of atlanto-odontoid joint osteoarthritis determined by multidetector computed tomography?

Background: The prevalence of osteoarthritis of the atlanto-odontoid joint has been reported by radiology, autopsy, and conventional computed tomography (CT), but the prevalence has not yet been assessed by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT).

How many lateral atlantoaxial joints are concave?

There are two lateral atlanto-axial joints which are concave in an anterior-posterior direction, this allows rotation. The median atlantoaxial joint is the articulation of the: . posterior surface of the anterior arch of atlas and the front of the odontoid process.

Is the median atlantoaxial joint a pivot joint?

The median atlantoaxial joint is formed between the dens of axis and an osteoligamentous ring of the atlas anteriorly and transverse ligament posteriorly. It is classified as a pivot joint.