How Do You Spell OCCIPITOATLOID?

1. Occipitoatloid is an anatomical term used to describe a specific region in the human body, specifically the junction between the occipital bone and the atlas vertebra, which is the first vertebra of the cervical spine located at the base of the skull. It refers to the articulation or joint formed between the occipital condyle, a rounded prominence on the underside of the occipital bone, and the superior articular facet of the atlas vertebra.

   This occipitoatloid joint allows for flexion and extension movements of the head, which are important for nodding and shaking movements. It also allows for a rotational movement of the head, facilitating sideways head movements. Together with other joints in the cervical spine, the occipitoatloid joint plays a crucial role in providing stability and support to the head and neck.

   The occipitoatloid joint is surrounded by ligaments that help to reinforce and stabilize the joint. These ligaments include the alar ligaments, which connect the occipital bone to the atlas, and the apical ligament, which connects the dens (a bony projection on the axis vertebra) to the occipital bone.

   Understanding the anatomy of the occipitoatloid joint is essential for healthcare professionals, especially in the fields of orthopedics, neurology, and radiology, as it can help in diagnosing and treating conditions or injuries related to this region.

2. Relating to the occipital bone and the atlas, noting the articulation between the two bones.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for OCCIPITOATLOID

The word "occipitoatloid" is a medical term primarily used in the context of anatomy. It is a combination of several Latin and Greek roots:

1. "Occipito-" is derived from the Latin word "occiput", meaning "the back of the head or the occipital bone".

2. "-atloid" is derived from the Greek word "atlās", which refers to the titan Atlas from Greek mythology. This term is often used to describe structures or movements that are similar to or associated with the atlas vertebra, the first cervical vertebra of the spine.

Therefore, "occipitoatloid" refers to something related to the occiput and the atlas vertebra, typically used to describe the junction between the head and the first vertebra of the neck.