Head and neck: alar ligaments: practice question

A Anatomy question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

Anatomy · Head and neck: alar ligaments

Sample item

Which pair of ligaments passes from the sides of the dens to the medial surfaces of the occipital condyles and limits excessive rotation of the head?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Alar ligaments

The paired alar ligaments connect the dens to the occipital condyles and check rotation and side-bending of the head. The apical ligament is a thin midline cord to the basion. The tectorial membrane continues the posterior longitudinal ligament and the transverse ligament holds the dens against the atlas.

Option by option

  • A. Tectorial membrane

    This broad membrane covers the dens and ligaments from behind and is the upward continuation of the posterior longitudinal ligament.

  • B. Apical ligament

    This slender midline ligament runs from the tip of the dens to the foramen magnum rim.

  • C. Transverse ligament of the atlas

    This ligament arches behind the dens between the lateral masses of the atlas.

  • D. Alar ligaments (correct)

    Correct. They run from the dens to the occipital condyles and check rotation.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Anatomy questions

Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is D, Alar ligaments. The paired alar ligaments connect the dens to the occipital condyles and check rotation and side-bending of the head.

Why is "Tectorial membrane" not the answer?

This broad membrane covers the dens and ligaments from behind and is the upward continuation of the posterior longitudinal ligament.

Why is "Apical ligament" not the answer?

This slender midline ligament runs from the tip of the dens to the foramen magnum rim.

Why is "Transverse ligament of the atlas" not the answer?

This ligament arches behind the dens between the lateral masses of the atlas.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck: alar ligaments in Anatomy. The apical ligament is a thin midline cord to the basion. The tectorial membrane continues the posterior longitudinal ligament and the transverse ligament holds the dens against the atlas.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Head and neck: alar ligaments?

Learn every nerve by its route, its muscles and what a lesion looks like at the bedside. That one habit answers a large share of questions. Then use the flashcards and the other Anatomy questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.