Alar Ligament Stress Test

Extending from the dens of the axis (C2) to the occiput (Osmotherly et al., 2012), the alar ligaments help stabilize the upper cervical spine (Vij et al., 2022). The Alar Ligament Stress Test comprises two maneuvers: lateral flexion and rotation of the head and atlas on the stabilized axis. In healthy individuals, each maneuver lengthens the contralateral alar ligament, which is consistent with…