Alar ligament

Alar Ligament

The Alar ligament is a pair of small ligaments located in the upper part of the neck. They extend from the sides of the dens (a part of the axis, the second cervical vertebra) to the lateral margins of the foramen magnum (the large opening in the base of the skull).

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The term "alar" is derived from the Latin word "alaris," meaning "winged." This is likely due to the ligament's wing-like appearance.

Anatomy[edit | edit source]

The alar ligaments are approximately 10mm long and are composed of fibrous tissue. They are attached superiorly to the sides of the foramen magnum and inferiorly to the sides of the dens of the axis. The ligaments limit the amount of rotation and side bending of the head and neck, providing stability to the cervical spine.

Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]

Damage to the alar ligaments can result in instability of the cervical spine, leading to neck pain and neurological symptoms. This can occur as a result of trauma, such as a whiplash injury, or due to degenerative conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. Diagnosis of alar ligament injury can be challenging, but can be aided by the use of advanced imaging techniques such as MRI.

Related Terms[edit | edit source]

See Also[edit | edit source]

Alar ligament Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? Explore our world directory. WikiMD's DocFinder can assist you in locating millions of physicians.	Medical Knowledge Access the latest research - Most recent articles Ongoing trials.