Top

Published in:

01-02-2020 | Original Article

The myodural bridge complex defined as a new functional structure

Authors: 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

Published in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy | Issue 2/2020

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.

Dean NA, Mitchell BS (2002) Anatomic relation between the nuchal ligament (ligamentum nuchae) and the spinal dura mater in the craniocervical region. Clin Anat 15:182–185CrossRef

Fernández-de-las-Penas C, Cuadrado ML, Arendt-Nielsen L et al (2008) Association of cross-sectional area of the rectus capitis posterior minor muscle with active trigger points in chronic tension-type headache: a pilot study. Am J Phys Med Rehab 87(3):197–203CrossRef

Grgić V (2007) Cervicogenic headache: etiopathogenesis, characteristics, diagnosis, differential diagnosis and therapy. Lijec Vjesn 129(6–7):230–236PubMed

Gao HB, Liu J, Yu SB, Su HJ (2006) A new polyester technique for sheet plastination. J Int Soc Plast 21:7–11

Hack GD, Koritzer RT, Robinson WL et al (1995) Anatomic relation between the rectus capitis posterior minor muscle and the dura mater. Spine 20:2484–2486CrossRef

Humphreys BK, Kenin S, Hubbard BB et al (2003) Investigation of connective tissue attachments to the cervical spinal dura mater. Clin Anat 16:152–159CrossRef

Kulkarni V, Chandy MJ, Babu KS (2001) Quantitative study of muscle spindles in suboccipital muscles of human fetuses. Neurol India 49(4):355–359PubMed

Kahkeshani K, Ward PJ (2012) Connection between the spinal dura mater and suboccipital musculature: evidence for the myodural bridge and a route for its dissection–a review. Clin Anat 25(4):415–422CrossRef

Mitchell BS, Humphreys BK, O’Sullivan E (1998) Attachments of the ligamentum nuchae to cervical posterior spinal dura and the lateral part of the occipital bone. J Manip Physiol Ther 21:145–148

10.

Matthew EA, Deanna KB (1999) A proposed etiology of cervicogenic headache: the neurophysiologic basis and anatomic relationship between the dura mater and the rectus posterior capitis minor muscle. J Manip Physiol Ther 22:534–539CrossRef

11.

Pontell ME, Scali F, Enix DE et al (2013) Histological examination of the human obliquus capitis inferior myodural bridge. Ann Anat 195(6):522–526CrossRef

12.

Pontell ME, Scali F, Marshall E et al (2013) The obliquus capitis inferior myodural bridge. Clin Anat 26:450–454CrossRef

13.

Peck D, Buxton DF, Nitz A (1984) A comparison of spindle concentrations in large and small muscles acting in parallel combinations. J Morphol 180(3):243–252CrossRef

14.

Park JS, Chung MS, Shin DS et al (2009) Sectioned images of the cadaver head including the brain and correspondences with ultrahigh field 7.0 T MRIs. Proc IEEE 97(12):1988–1996CrossRef

15.

Rix GD, Bagust J (2001) Cervicocephalic kinesthetic sensibility in patients with chronic, nontraumatic cervical spine pain. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 82(7):911–919CrossRef

16.

Scali F, Marsili ES, Pontell ME et al (2011) Anatomical connection between the rectus capitis posterior major and the dura mater. Spine 36(25):E1612–E1614CrossRef

17.

Scali F, Pontell ME, Enix DE (2013) Histological analysis of the rectus capitis posterior major’s myodural bridge. Spine J 13:558–563CrossRef

18.

Sui HJ, Henry RW (2007) Polyester plastination of biological tissue: hoffen P45 technique. J Int Soc Plast 22:78–81

19.

Xu Q, Yu SB, Zheng N et al (2015) Head movement, an important contributor to human cerebrospinal fluid circulation. Sci Rep 19(6):31787

20.

Yuan XY, Yu SB, Liu C et al (2017) Correlation between chronic headaches and the rectus capitis posterior minor muscle: a comparative analysis of cross-sectional trail. Cephalalgia 37(11):1051–1056CrossRef

21.

Zheng N, Yuan XY, Chi YY et al (2017) The universal existence of myodural bridge in mammals: an indication of a necessary function. Sci Rep 7:8248CrossRef

22.

Zheng N, Yuan XY, Li YF et al (2014) Definition of the to be named ligament and vertebrodural ligament and their possible effects on the circulation of CSF. PLoS One 9(8):e103451CrossRef

23.

Zheng N, Chi YY, Yang XH et al (2018) Orientation and property of fibers of the myodural bridge in humans. Spine J 18(6):1081–1087CrossRef

Title: The myodural bridge complex defined as a new functional structure
Authors: 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
Publication date: 01-02-2020
Publisher: Springer Paris
Published in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy / Issue 2/2020
Print ISSN: 0930-1038
Electronic ISSN: 1279-8517
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-019-02340-6

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

The myodural bridge complex defined as a new functional structure

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 2/2020

Unilateral segmental agenesis of the vertebral artery at the C2 level

Tethered cord syndrome and transitional vertebrae

Dural arteries of the dorsoclival area

Morphometric analysis of occipital condyles using alternative imaging technique

Spine and dura-mater: from lumbar pedicle to skull basis

A digital anatomic investigation of the safe triangle areas for L1–5 percutaneous minimally invasive discectomy