The myodural bridge complex defined as a new functional structure

The myodural bridge complex defined as a new functional structure — The Fascia Guide

Key takeaways

01Anatomical study of connections in the upper neck
02Fibers from three suboccipital muscles form the myodural bridge
03The structure connects to the dura mater at two different levels
04Researchers propose the term 'myodural bridge complex'
05May transfer mechanical tension during head movements

The connection between deep neck muscles and the spinal cord's covering is a complex structure that likely transfers tension during head movement.

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.

Cite this study

APA: Nan Zheng, Beom Sun Chung, Yi-Lin Li, Tai-Yuan Liu, Lan-Xin Zhang, Yang-Yang Ge, Nan-Xing Wang, Zhi-Hong Zhang, Lin Cai, Yan-Yan Chi, Jian-Fei Zhang, Okoye Chukwuemeka Samuel, Sheng-Bo Yu, & Hong-Jin Sui (2019). The myodural bridge complex defined as a new functional structure. https://fasciaresearchdatabase.com/the-myodural-bridge-complex-defined-as-a-new-functional-structure/
MLA: Nan Zheng, et al. "The myodural bridge complex defined as a new functional structure." 2019, https://fasciaresearchdatabase.com/the-myodural-bridge-complex-defined-as-a-new-functional-structure/.
Chicago: Nan Zheng et al. 2019. "The myodural bridge complex defined as a new functional structure.". https://fasciaresearchdatabase.com/the-myodural-bridge-complex-defined-as-a-new-functional-structure/