Description

Atlanto-occipital joint (anterior)

Atlanto-occipital joint (posterior)

The atlanto-occipital articulations function as bilaterally symmetrical ellipsoid
synovial joints between C0 and C1.

Articulating Surfaces

Occipital condyles and a superior articular facets of the atlas.

Ligaments & Joint Capsule

The capsule is rather roomy and relaxed and the joint possesses no
individual accessory ligaments. Stability is provided by:

Two articular capsules

Posterior atlanto-occipital ligament
Anterior atlanto-occipital ligament

Degrees of Freedom[1]

Two degrees of freedom are available at this joint:

1. Flexion/extension
2. Lateral flexion/conjunct rotation

Osteokinematics[1]
Flexion/extension
o Cardinal (pure) swing
o Total ROM: 30 (10 flexion, 20 extension)
o Axis: Transverse axis through external auditory meatus
Lateral flexion
 o Arcuate (impure) swing with coronal conjunct rotation (e.g. right
lateral flexion occurs with conjunct left rotation)
o Total ROM: 15 (8-10 in each direction)
o Axis: Oblique sagittal axis through the nose (approximately)
o Associated with AA joint rotation
Rotation (conjunct)
o Occurs with lateral flexion due to the slanted articular surfaces,
anteromedial orientation of the articular facets, and the alar
ligaments
o Total ROM: 5-7 in each direction
o Axis: Vertical axis anterior to the foramen magnum

Arthrokinemtics[1]
Flexion
o Forward tilt/nod of the head
o Posterior glide of the convex occipital condyles on the concave
atlantal facets
o Atlas moves anterior and cranially
o Dens follows atlas and approaches the clivus
o Occiput and the posterior atlantal arch separate
Extension
o Backward tilt of the head
o Anterior glide of the convex occipital condyles on the concave
atlantal facets
Lateral flexion (left lateral flexion example provided below)
o Left lateral tilt of the head causes a contralateral glide of the
occiput
o Conjunct right rotation occurs due to the anteriormedial axis of
the joint surfaces
o Right glide of the occipital condyles causes relative anterior glide
of the left condyle on and a relative posterior glide of the right
condyle
o Occipital portion of the right alar ligament tightens, with the left
being slackened
o Tension in the right alar ligament pulls on the dens and causes a
left rotation of the axis
o Spinous process of the axis moves to the right creating a relative
right rotation of the AA joint

Muscle Action at this Joint

Flexion is produced mainly by the action of the rectus capitis anterior.
Limited by tectoral membrane.

Extension by the rectus capitis posterior major and minor, assisted by the
obliqus capitis superior, the semispinalis capitis, splenius capitis,
sternocleidomastoid, and upper fibers of the trapezius.

The rectus capitis lateralis are concerned in the lateral flexion, assisted by
the trapezius, splenius capitis, semispinalis capitis, and the
sternocleidomastoid of the same side, all acting together.