Tectorial membrane (axis)
Membrana tectoria, transverse, and alar ligaments. (Membrana tectoria labeled at far left.)
Median sagittal section through the occipital bone and first three cervical vertebræ. (Membrana tectoria labeled at left, second from top.)
Latin	membrana tectoria
Gray's	subject #74 296

The Membrana Tectoria (occipitoaxial ligaments) is situated within the vertebral canal.

It is a broad, strong band which covers the odontoid process and its ligaments, and appears to be a prolongation upward of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the vertebral column.

It is fixed, below, to the posterior surface of the body of the axis, and, expanding as it ascends, is attached to the basilar groove of the occipital bone, in front of the foramen magnum, where it blends with the cranial dura mater.

Its anterior surface is in relation with the transverse ligament of the atlas, and its posterior surface with the dura mater.

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.

v • d • e Joints and ligaments of torso (TA A03.02-04, GA 3.299) Vertebral column Syndesmosis articulations of vertebral bodies: anterior longitudinal ligament · posterior longitudinal ligament articulations of vertebral arches: ligamenta flava · supraspinous ligament (nuchal ligament) · interspinal ligament · intertransverse ligament Synchondrosis intervertebral disc (annulus fibrosus, nucleus pulposus) Synovial joint Atlanto-axial (lat + med) capsule · atlantoaxial ligaments (anterior, posterior) · Cruciate ligament of atlas (Transverse ligament of atlas) Alar ligament · Apical ligament of dens · Tectorial membrane of atlanto-axial joint Zygapophysial no ligaments Lumbosacral iliolumbar ligament Sacrococcygeal anterior sacrococcygeal ligament · posterior sacrococcygeal ligament Thorax Costovertebral articulation of head of rib: radiate ligament · interarticular ligament costotransverse: Lumbocostal ligament Sternocostal interarticular sternocostal ligament · radiate sternocostal ligaments · costoxiphoid ligaments Interchondral no ligaments Costochondral no ligaments Pelvis Syndesmoses of pelvic girdle Obturator membrane · Obturator canal Pubic symphysis superior pubic ligament · inferior pubic ligament Sacroiliac anterior sacroiliac ligament · posterior sacroiliac ligament · interosseous sacroiliac ligament ligaments connecting the sacrum and ischium: sacrotuberous ligament · sacrospinous ligament Greater sciatic foramen · Lesser sciatic foramen

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