The myodural bridge in the common rock pigeon (Columbia livia): Morphology and possible physiological implications

The dense connective tissue that connects muscles to the cervical spinal dura mater is known as the myodural bridge in human anatomy and has been a subject of interest to anatomists and clinicians. The myodural bridge was originally discovered in humans, and also has been observed in other mammals and in reptilian sauropsids. We investigated the existence of the myodural bridge in a bird, that is, the Common Rock Pigeon Columba livia, to expand the understanding of the structure and function of the myodural bridge. Gross anatomical dissection of seven specimens and histological analyses of the suboccipital region of eight specimens were performed. The rectus capitis dorsalis minor muscle joins occipital periosteal extensions and inserts with dense connective tissue cords on the dorsal side of the dura mater of the cervical spinal cord. The myodural bridge consists primarily of collagen Type I fibres, suggesting that the myodural bridge can transmit strong tensional forces generated by the contraction of M. rectus capitis dorsalis minor to the dura mater. The pull on the dura mater may affect the circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid in the subarachnoid space of the spine.