Exploration of the spinal cord and meninges in situ

Arachnoid in cervical region; cisterna magna

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Image #32-5

Exploration of the spinal cord and meninges in situ

Arachnoid in cervical region; cisterna magna

The dura mater has been cut away so that the transparent arachnoid membrane is exposed. The subarachnoid space increases in volume above the level of the second cervical dorsal roots. This is part of the cerebellomedullary cistern (cisterna magna).

1. Occipital bone (pointer at margin of foramen magnum)
2. Mastoid emissary
3. Dura mater
4. Occipital artery
5. Superior obliquus capitis muscle
6. Vertebral artery left
7. Posterior arch of atlas (cut across)
8. Inferior obliquus capitis muscle
9. Greater occipital nerve
10. Cervical vertebral arches II (cut across)
11. Dura mater
12. Splenius capitis muscle
13. Motor nerve to semispinalis capitis muscle
14. Posterior vertebral venous plexus
15. Occipital sinus and falx cerebelli
16. Arachnoid covering cerebellar tonsil
17. Cerebellomedullary cistern
18. Dorsal root cervical nerve II
19. Accessory nerve (spinal root)
20. Deep cervical artery
21. Posterior vertebral venous plexus
22. Dorsal root cervical nerve VI
23. Arch of cervical vertebra VII