Tectorial membrane of cervical vertebral column
Membrana tectoria columnae vertebralis cervicalis
- Latin synonym: Membrana tectoria articulationis atlantoaxialis medianae
- Synonym: Tectorial membrane of median atlantoaxial joint
- Related terms: Tectorial membrane
Definition
The membrana tectoria is situated within the vertebral canal.
It is a broad, strong bands which covers the odontoid process and its ligaments, and appears to be a prolongation upward of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the vertebral column.
It is fixed, below, to the posterior surface of the body of the axis, and, expanding as it ascends, is attached to the basilar groove of the occipital bone, in front of the foramen magnum, where it blends with the cranial dura mater.
Its anterior surface is in relation with the transverse ligament of the atlas, and its posterior surface with the dura mater.
References
This definition incorporates text from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy (20th U.S. edition of Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body, published in 1918 – from http://www.bartleby.com/107/).
