cruciate ligament of the atlas

cru·ci·ate lig·a·ment of the at·las

[TA] the strong ligament that lies posterior to the dens of the axis holding it against the anterior arch of the atlas; it consists primarily of the transverse ligament of the atlas that forms the cross-bar of the cross and is most important functionally, and the longitudinal bands of the cruciform ligament, thus forming the upright or vertical beams of the cross. Synonym(s): ligamentum cruciforme atlantis [TA], crucial ligament (3) , cruciform ligament of atlas, ligamentum cruciatum atlantis