Nan Zheng1, Beom Sun Chung2, Yi-Lin Li1, Tai-Yuan Liu1, Lan-Xin Zhang1, Yang-Yang Ge1, Nan-Xing Wang1, Zhi-Hong Zhang1, Lin Cai1, Yan-Yan Chi1, Jian-Fei Zhang1, Okoye Chukwuemeka Samuel1, Sheng-Bo Yu3, Hong-Jin Sui4. 1. Department of Anatomy, College of Basic Medicine, Dalian Medical University, 9 West Section, Lushun South Road, Dalian, People's Republic of China. 2. Department of Anatomy, Ajou University School of Medicine, Worldcup-ro 164, Suwon, 443-749, Republic of Korea. 3. Department of Anatomy, College of Basic Medicine, Dalian Medical University, 9 West Section, Lushun South Road, Dalian, People's Republic of China. ysbdmu@126.com. 4. Department of Anatomy, College of Basic Medicine, Dalian Medical University, 9 West Section, Lushun South Road, Dalian, People's Republic of China. suihj@hotmail.com.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The connective tissue between suboccipital muscles and the cervical spinal dura mater (SDM) is known as the myodural bridge (MDB). However, the adjacent relationship of the different connective tissue fibers that form the MDB remains unclear. This information will be highly useful in exploring the function of the MDB. METHODS: The adjacent relationship of different connective tissue fibers of MDB was demonstrated based upon three-dimensional visualization model, P45 plastinated slices and histological sections of human MDB. RESULTS: We found that the MDB originating from the rectus capitis posterior minor muscle (RCPmi), rectus capitis posterior major muscle (RCPma) and obliquus capitis inferior muscle (OCI) in the suboccipital region coexists. Part of the MDB fibers originate from the ventral aspect of the RCPmi and, together with that from the cranial segment of the RCPma, pass through the posterior atlanto-occipital interspace (PAOiS) and enter into the posterior aspect of the upper cervical SDM. Also, part of the MDB fibers originate from the dorsal aspect of the RCPmi, the ventral aspect of the caudal segment of the RCPma, and the ventral aspect of the medial segment of the OCI, enter the central part of the posterior atlanto-axial interspace (PAAiS) and fuse with the vertebral dura ligament (VDL), which connects with the cervical SDM. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings prove that the MDB exists as a complex structure which we termed the 'myodural bridge complex' (MDBC). In the process of head movement, tensile forces could be transferred possibly and effectively by means of the MDBC. The concept of MDBC will be beneficial in the overall exploration of the function of the MDB.
PURPOSE: The connective tissue between suboccipital muscles and the cervical spinal dura mater (SDM) is known as the myodural bridge (MDB). However, the adjacent relationship of the different connective tissue fibers that form the MDB remains unclear. This information will be highly useful in exploring the function of the MDB. METHODS: The adjacent relationship of different connective tissue fibers of MDB was demonstrated based upon three-dimensional visualization model, P45 plastinated slices and histological sections of human MDB. RESULTS: We found that the MDB originating from the rectus capitis posterior minor muscle (RCPmi), rectus capitis posterior major muscle (RCPma) and obliquus capitis inferior muscle (OCI) in the suboccipital region coexists. Part of the MDB fibers originate from the ventral aspect of the RCPmi and, together with that from the cranial segment of the RCPma, pass through the posterior atlanto-occipital interspace (PAOiS) and enter into the posterior aspect of the upper cervical SDM. Also, part of the MDB fibers originate from the dorsal aspect of the RCPmi, the ventral aspect of the caudal segment of the RCPma, and the ventral aspect of the medial segment of the OCI, enter the central part of the posterior atlanto-axial interspace (PAAiS) and fuse with the vertebral dura ligament (VDL), which connects with the cervical SDM. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings prove that the MDB exists as a complex structure which we termed the 'myodural bridge complex' (MDBC). In the process of head movement, tensile forces could be transferred possibly and effectively by means of the MDBC. The concept of MDBC will be beneficial in the overall exploration of the function of the MDB.
Authors: Jing Zhuang; Jin Gong; Gary D Hack; Yan-Yan Chi; Yang Song; Sheng-Bo Yu; Hong-Jin Sui Journal: Surg Radiol Anat Date: 2022-06-17 Impact factor: 1.354