Tectorial membrane (axis)

Tectorial membrane (axis)
Membrana tectoria, transverse, and alar ligaments. (Membrana tectoria labeled at far left.)
Median sagittal section through the occipital bone and first three cervical vertebræ. (Membrana tectoria labeled at left, second from top.)
Latin	membrana tectoria
Gray's	subject #74 296
Dorlands/Elsevier	m_08/12522271

The Membrana Tectoria (occipitoaxial ligaments) is situated within the vertebral canal.

It is a broad, strong band 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.

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.