Posterior atlantooccipital membrane

Posterior Atlantooccipital Membrane

The Posterior Atlantooccipital Membrane is a broad but thin fibrous sheet in the human body that extends between the posterior margin of the foramen magnum and the upper border of the posterior arch of the atlas.

Posterior atlantooccipital membrane and atlantoaxial ligament. (Posterior atlantooccipital membrane is labeled at center right.)

Anatomy

The Posterior Atlantooccipital Membrane is continuous with the dura mater of the spinal cord and is attached to the posterior margin of the foramen magnum and to the posterior arch of the atlas. It is broader and thinner than the anterior atlantooccipital membrane.

Function

The membrane serves to prevent excessive movement of the head and neck. It also helps to protect the spinal cord and the structures within the vertebral canal.

Clinical Significance

In certain pathological conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, the membrane may become inflamed or damaged, leading to neurological symptoms.

See Also

• Anterior atlantooccipital membrane
• Atlas (anatomy)
• Foramen magnum