Question:easy
Which joint is involved in movement of the head from left to right (turning side to side)?
Which joint is involved in movement of the head from left to right (turning side to side)?
Show Hint
The pivot around the dens of the axis lets you shake your head to say NO.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
- Atlanto-axial
- Atlanto-occipital
- C2-C3 joint
- C3-C4 joint
Show Solution
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Match each movement to its craniovertebral joint. The skull-to-C1 articulation gives nodding, while the C1-to-C2 articulation gives rotation. Side-to-side turning is rotation.
Step 2: The C1-C2 joint is the atlanto-axial joint, a pivot joint in which the dens of the axis acts as the central peg. The ring of the atlas and the transverse ligament spin around this peg.
Step 3: Rotation here swings the face left and right, the classic NO gesture. The atlanto-occipital joint only flexes and extends ($YES$ nodding), and the C2-C3 and C3-C4 joints are typical cervical facet joints that do not generate this dedicated rotation.
Step 4: Turning the head left to right is the function of the atlanto-axial joint.\[\boxed{Atlanto\text{-}axial\ joint}\]
Step 2: The C1-C2 joint is the atlanto-axial joint, a pivot joint in which the dens of the axis acts as the central peg. The ring of the atlas and the transverse ligament spin around this peg.
Step 3: Rotation here swings the face left and right, the classic NO gesture. The atlanto-occipital joint only flexes and extends ($YES$ nodding), and the C2-C3 and C3-C4 joints are typical cervical facet joints that do not generate this dedicated rotation.
Step 4: Turning the head left to right is the function of the atlanto-axial joint.\[\boxed{Atlanto\text{-}axial\ joint}\]
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