lateral atlantooccipital ligament

lateral atlantooccipital ligament

[TA]

thickened lateral aspect of the fibrous layer of the joint capsule of the atlantooccipital joint, medial to the rectus capitis lateralis (muscle); it appears to serve as a check ligament for lateral flexion to the contralateral side.

Synonym(s): ligamentum atlantooccipitale laterale [TA]