Tectorial membrane of atlanto-axial joint

Last updated
Tectorial membrane (axis)
Gray307.png
Membrana tectoria, transverse, and alar ligaments. (Membrana tectoria labeled at far left.)
Gray308.png
Median sagittal section through the occipital bone and first three cervical vertebræ. (Membrana tectoria labeled at left, second from top.)
Details
Identifiers
Latin membrana tectoria
TA98 A03.2.04.007
TA2 1704
FMA 25013
Anatomical terminology

The tectorial membrane of atlanto-axial joint (occipitoaxial ligaments) is a tough membrane/ [1] broad, strong band [2] representing the superior-ward prolongation of the posterior longitudinal ligament (the two being continuous). [3] [1] [2]

Contents

It attaches inferiorly onto (the posterior aspect of [2] ) the body of axis. [3] It broadens superiorly. Superiorly, the membrane extends deep to the median atlanto-axial joint and its associated ligaments, then through the foramen magnum into the cranial cavity [1] where it ends by attaching onto the basilar part of occipital bone superior to the foramen magnum. [3]

Anatomy

The membrane broadens superiorly. [1]

Structure

The membrane consists of two laminae - superficial and deep. [2]

The superficial lamina broadens superiorly before attaching onto the superior/internal surface of the basilar part of occipital bone superior to the foramen magnum, here blending with the cranial dura mater. [2]

The deep lamina consists of a strong medial band which extends superiorly to the foramen magnum, and of two lateral bands which superiorly reach and blend with the articular capsules of the atlanto-occipital joint. [2]

D: Tectorial membrane of atlanto-axial joint Anatomy of the Neck Sagittal Color MRI.png
D: Tectorial membrane of atlanto-axial joint

Relations

The membrane situated is posterior/deep to the transverse ligament of the atlas; the two are separated by a thin intervening layer of loose areolar connective tissue, and sometimes by a bursa. [2]

The membrane is situated anterior/superficially to the spinal dura mater (which is firmly attached to the tectorial membrane). [3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Moore, Keith L.; Dalley, Arthur F.; Agur, Anne M. R. (2018). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (8th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. p. 101. ISBN   978-1-4963-4721-3.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Standring, Susan (2020). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice (42th ed.). New York. p. 841. ISBN   978-0-7020-7707-4. OCLC   1201341621.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. 1 2 3 4 Sinnatamby, Chummy (2011). Last's Anatomy (12th ed.). Elsevier Australia. p. 426. ISBN   978-0-7295-3752-0.


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.