For Providers -- Atlas of Human Anatomy

Ligaments of the upper cervical vertebra, seen from behind. The cervical vertebral foramen is opened revealing the spinal canal.

Translated by: Ronald A. Bergman, PhD and Adel K. Afifi, MD, MS
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed

a) Occipital bone.
b) Mastoid process.
c) Fossa for the medulla oblongata.
d) Atlas, first cervical vertebra.
e) Atlas, transverse process.
f) Second cervical vertebra.
g – l) Third to seventh cervical vertebra.
m – p) First to fourth thoracic vertebra.
q – t) First to fourth ribs, proximal end.

1. posterior longitudinal ligament, origin.
2. ligamentous apparatus.
3. accessory capsular ligaments of head of atlas.
4. apical supraspinal (interspinous) ligaments.
5. superior supraspinal costotransverse ligaments (medial and lateral).
6. lateral and superior costotransverse ligaments.