Cervical Anatomy and Pathology - Upper Cervical Spine, 34 Year Old Male

Upper Cervical Spine 34 year old male

Midsagittal section through the upper cervical spine of a 34–year old man. The odontoid process is the most prominent structure. The synovial joint between the anterior arch of the atlas and the dens shows signs of slight degeneration. Note also the transverse portion of the cruciate ligament which holds the odontoid process posteriorly. The "transverse ligament" is covered by the rectorial membrane which constitutes a reinforcement of a parietal blade of the dura mater and which is continuous with the dura mater of the skull (pachymeninx). In addition, the thin apical ligament of the dens directly anchors the tip of the dens to the clivus portion of the foramen magnum. Posteriorly, the thin atlanto–occipital membrane connects the posterior arch of the atlas with the rim of the foramen magnum. The cisterna magna occupies the angle between the pons, the medulla oblongata, cerebellar tonsils and the posterior wall of the vertebral canal.

©2000 Wolfgang Rauschning, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Clinical Anatomy Academic University Hospital
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Uppsala, Sweden
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