The ligaments connecting the bones are: The capsules of the atlantooccipital articulation surround the condyles of the occipital bone, and connect them with the articular processes of the atlas: they are thin and loose.

The recti laterales are concerned in the lateral movement, assisted by the trapezius, splenius capitis, semispinalis capitis, and the sternocleidomastoideus of the same side, all acting together.

The atlanto-occipital joint may be dislocated, especially from violent accidents such as traffic collisions.

[1] This may be diagnosed using CT scans or magnetic resonance imaging of the head and neck.

[2] This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 295 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)