X CLOSE

Dissection of head and neck from a posterior approach

Relations of internal jugular vein, hypoglossal, accessory and vagus nerves to atlantooccipital joint; atlantoepistrophic joint

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Image #80-5
Diagram Image
Legend Image
Dissection of head and neck from a posterior approach
Relations of internal jugular vein, hypoglossal, accessory and vagus nerves to atlantooccipital joint; atlantoepistrophic joint
The contents of the jugular foramen (1,3,4) and hypoglossal canal (2) have been partially exposed without disturbing their relations. The capsule of the atlantoepistrophic joint (22) has been partially resected. The opposing articular surfaces of this joint are incongruous as compared to those of the atlantooccipital joint (6). A dense plexus of blood vessels (16) occupies the area between the dens and the margin of the foramen magnum. The apical ligament of the dens was not well defined.
  1. Accessory nerve (XI)
  2. Hypoglossal nerve (XII) (within hypoglossal canal the nerve is obscured by fibrous tissue and veins)
  3. Vagus nerve (X)
  4. Internal jugular vein
  5. Occipital condyle (cut across)
  6. Atlanto-occipital articulation (opened)
  7. Superior articular facet atlas (articular cartilage removed)
  8. Vertebral artery (cut across)
  9. Transverse process atlas
  10. Upper pointer: Anterior branch of cervical nerve I Lower pointer: Groove in atlas for vertebral artery
  11. Spinal ganglion cervical nerve II
  12. Anterior branch of cervical nerve II
  13. Posterior branch cervical nerve II
  14. Posterior longitudinal ligament (cut across)
  15. Cruciate ligament atlas (cut across)
  16. Plexus of veins (ligamentum apicis dentis absent)
  17. Dens axis (covered by ligaments)
  18. Alar ligament (cut across)
  19. Transverse ligament atlas (part of cruciate ligament)
  20. Tectorial membrane (cut across)
  21. Atlanto-occipital joint cavity
  22. Atlantoepistrophical joint capsule
  23. Arch of axis (cut across)