Cervical meninges, spinal cord and nerve roots dissected from behind

Dura mater in cervical region and in posterior cranial fossa

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Image #217-4

Cervical meninges, spinal cord and nerve roots dissected from behind

Dura mater in cervical region and in posterior cranial fossa

The dura 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 forming part of the cerebellomedullary cistern (cisterna magna).

1. Occipital bone (pointer at margin of foramen magnum)
2. Mastoid emissary vein
3. Dura mater
4. Occipital artery
5. Superior oblique capitis muscle
6. Left vertebral artery
7. Posterior arch of atlas (cut across)
8. Inferior oblique capitis muscle
9. Greater occipital nerve
10. Arch of axis (cut across)
11. Dura mater
12. Splenius capitis muscle
13. Nerve to semispinalis capitis muscle
14. Posterior external vertebral venous plexus
15. Occipital sinus and falx cerebelli
16. Arachnoid covering cerebellar tonsil
17. Cerebellomedullary cistern
18. Dorsal roots cervical nerve II
19. Spinal roots accessory nerve (XI)
20. Deep cervical artery
21. Posterior external vertebral venous plexus
22. Dorsal roots cervical nerve VI
23. Arch of vertebra C. VII