Anatomic and biomechanical characteristics of transverse ligament of atlas
Abstract：Aim To study the anatomic parameters and anti- stretch property of transverse ligament of atlas.Methods 24 adult C1- 2 fixated specimens and 9 fresh transverse ligament specimens were used.To observe the anatomic characters of the transverse ligament specimens were used.To observe the anatomic characteristics of the transverse ligament of atlas,measure the length, thickness and the width in center and the widths in both sides.Two of the nine fresh transverse ligament specimens were observed in histology,and seven of them were used to test the anti- stretch property on a material testing machine(MTS 858 Bionix test system,USA).Results The length of the transverse ligament of atlas is (20.0± 2.4) mm,the thickness of the center is (2.1± 0.5 )mm,the width of the center is (10.7± 1.6) mm,the widths of left and right end are (6.6± 1.1) mm and (6.7± 1.0) mm,respectively,and the thickness of the two ends are (3.8± 1.1) mm and (3.7± 1.1) mm,respectively.The relationship between the transverse ligament of atlas and the odontoid process of axis is classified by three types:(1)The odontoid process is completely coated by the transverse ligament from behind,10 of 33 (30% ) were observed in our study.(2)The odontoid process is partly,but more than 1/2,coated by the transverse ligament,18 of 33 (54.5% ) were observed in our study.(3)The odontoid process is partly,but less than 1/2,coated by the transverse ligament,5 of 33(15.2% ) were observed in our study.In the central part of the surface of the transverse ligament,which is facing the odontoid process,some longitudinal fibers had been found and confirmed to be loose connective tissue in histology.The average of the max- load of the transverse ligament is (606± 90)N,and the average of the max- deformation of the transverse ligament is (4.3± 0.5) mm.Conclusion Contrast to the foreigner's,the transverse ligament of atlas of Chinese people is shorter than that of White race,and it almost the same as that of Yellow race.In the surface of the transverse ligament of atlas,which is facing the odontoid process,there may have some loose connective tissue.The relationship between the transverse ligament and the odontoid process is not invariable which may be the anatomic base of the dens fracture.
Keywords：ligamentanatomytensile strength
Publication Date：2003-01-01
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：3( 2386-2387 )