Cervical spine ligaments

Cervical spine ligaments ordered from anterior to posterior include:

• anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL)
• anterior atlanto-occipital membrane
• apical ligament
• alar ligaments (paired)
• cruciate ligament of the atlas
  • longitudinal band: joins the body of the axis to the foramen magnum
  • transverse band: attaches to the inner margin of the atlas on both sides passing posterior to the odontoid process of the axis
• posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL)
• tectorial membrane
• ligamentum flavum
• posterior atlanto-occipital membrane
• ligamentum nuchae: attaches from external occipital protuberance to posterior arch of the atlas and cervical spinous processes
• interspinous ligaments
• intertransverse ligaments: join transverse processes along adjacent borders, relatively weak fibrous tissue
• supraspinous ligaments