EN
The aim of the study was to describe the role of the craniocervical junction ligaments in a dog with the focus on the ligaments that have not been described yet. The research examined cadavers of 15 adult male and female dogs of different breeds, fixed in 10% formaldehyde. The results of the research indicated that the stability of the craniocervical junction depends not only on well known ligaments like: Apical ligament of dens, Alar ligaments, Transverse atlantal ligament, Dorsal atlantoaxial ligament and Lateral ligaments, but also on three pairs of ligaments described for the first time in this publication; namely: Dorsal ligaments, Collateral internal cranial atlantal ligaments and Collateral internal caudal atlantal ligaments. Atlantooccipital and atlantoaxial ligaments, described as functionally integral, are a more constitutional and multilevel system of ligaments, which were observed in all examined dogs. This fact should be taken into consideration in all surgeries of the cervical region (occipital anesthesia, occipital myelography, surgical interventions). The most frequent reasons for a dislocation in the craniocervical junction have also been discussed.