Tags: Anatomical Structure, Ligament.
The alar ligaments connect the sides of the dens (on the axis or the second cervical vertebra) to tubercles on the medial side of the occipital condyle. They are short tough fibrous cords that attach the skull to C2 vertebra (via the dens) and function to check side-to-side movements of the head when it is turned.The alar ligament is also known as the check ligament of the odontoid.
