Joe Iwanaga1, Juan Sardi2, Vlad Voin3, Jens R Chapman4, Rod J Oskouian5, R Shane Tubbs6. 1. Seattle Science Foundation, Seattle, Washington, USA; Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan; Dental and Oral Medical Center, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan. Electronic address: joei@seattlesciencefoundation.org. 2. Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá, Colombia. 3. Seattle Science Foundation, Seattle, Washington, USA. 4. Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USA. 5. Seattle Science Foundation, Seattle, Washington, USA; Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USA. 6. Seattle Science Foundation, Seattle, Washington, USA; Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University, St. George's, Grenada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The alar ligaments are among the primary ligamentous structures contributing to craniovertebral stability. The purpose of this study is to clarify the morphology of the alar ligament using fresh cadaveric specimens. METHODS: Twenty-two fresh, frozen cadaveric alar ligaments were used in this study. The occiput, C1, and C2 were removed en bloc from each specimen, and various measurements and observations including variations were documented. RESULTS: The angle formed by both alar ligaments was measured in a neutral position (149 ± 24.19 degrees), as well as during forced flexion (134.18 ± 27.08 degrees) and extension (163.81 ± 24.54 degrees). CONCLUSIONS: The current cadaveric evaluation offers an interesting window into better understanding the anatomy of the alar ligaments.
OBJECTIVE: The alar ligaments are among the primary ligamentous structures contributing to craniovertebral stability. The purpose of this study is to clarify the morphology of the alar ligament using fresh cadaveric specimens. METHODS: Twenty-two fresh, frozen cadaveric alar ligaments were used in this study. The occiput, C1, and C2 were removed en bloc from each specimen, and various measurements and observations including variations were documented. RESULTS: The angle formed by both alar ligaments was measured in a neutral position (149 ± 24.19 degrees), as well as during forced flexion (134.18 ± 27.08 degrees) and extension (163.81 ± 24.54 degrees). CONCLUSIONS: The current cadaveric evaluation offers an interesting window into better understanding the anatomy of the alar ligaments.
Authors: Basem Ishak; Alexander von Glinski; Graham Dupont; Stefan Lachkar; Emre Yilmaz; Joe Iwanaga; Andreas Unterberg; Rod Oskouian; R Shane Tubbs; Jens R Chapman Journal: Global Spine J Date: 2020-07-21