Dissection of head and neck from a posterior approach
Tectorial membrane; atlantooccipital joint
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Image #80-3
Dissection of head and neck from a posterior approach
Tectorial membrane; atlantooccipital joint
More of the occipital bone has been removed and the suboccipital muscles have been almost completely cut away on the left side. The capsule of the left atlantooccipital joint has been opened. Synovial folds extend into the joint cavity (4). The dura mater (15) has been reflected laterally. The part of the posterior longitudinal ligament (18) to the right of the midline has been preserved. On the left side this ligament has been cut away to expose the tectorial membrane (20).
- Left pointer: Posterior semicircular canal (opened) Right pointer: Vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII)
- Left pointer: Transverse sinus (sigmoid portion) Right pointer: Internal jugular vein (in jugular foramen)
- Condyloid emissary within condyloid canal
- Atlanto-occipital articulation
- Atlanto-occipital joint capsule
- Vertebral artery (cut across)
- Posterior arch of atlas
- Inferior oblique capitis muscle (cut across)
- Posterior vertebral venous plexus
- Posterior branch cervical nerve II
- Arch of axis
- Posterior branch cervical nerve III
- Longus capitis muscle
- Petrosal part of temporal bone
- Dura mater (reflected)
- Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)
- Vagus nerve (X)
- Posterior longitudinal ligament (left half resected, cut end visible at upper pointer)
- Roots of hypoglossal nerve (XII)
- Tectorial membrane
- Roots of cervical nerve II
- Splenius capitis muscle
- Spinal branch vertebral artery
- Semispinalis capitis muscle
- Longitudinal vertebral sinus