Functional Anatomy and Biomechanics of the Craniovertebral Junction

Nader S Dahdaleh; Najib El-Tecle; Michael B Cloney; Nathan A Shlobin; Tyler R Koski; Jean Paul Wolinsky

doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2023.03.084

Functional Anatomy and Biomechanics of the Craniovertebral Junction

World Neurosurg. 2023 Jul:175:165-171. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2023.03.084.

Authors

Nader S Dahdaleh¹, Najib El-Tecle², Michael B Cloney², Nathan A Shlobin², Tyler R Koski², Jean Paul Wolinsky²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Electronic address: nader.dahdaleh@northwestern.edu.
² Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

PMID: 37365762
DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2023.03.084

Abstract

The craniovertebral junction (CVJ) involves the atlas, axis, and occiput along with the atlanto-occipital and atlantoaxial joints. The anatomy and neural and vascular anatomy of the junction render the CVJ unique. Specialists treating disorders that affect the CVJ must appreciate its intricate anatomy and should be well versed in its biomechanics. This first article in a three-article series provides an overview of the functional anatomy and biomechanics of the CVJ.

Keywords: Atlas; Axis; Craniovertebral junction; Occiput; Spinal surgery; Spine; Spine surgery.

MeSH terms

Atlanto-Axial Joint* / anatomy & histology
Atlanto-Occipital Joint* / anatomy & histology
Biomechanical Phenomena
Humans