Chinese Journal Of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2015, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (3): 241-245.doi: 10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2015.03.001

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Anatomy study about the meningovertebral ligaments in the posterior cervical epidural space

ZHENG Xue-feng1,   SHI Ben-chao2,   YANG Jie1,   LI Yang1,   WANG Yu-long1,   DING Zi-hai1   

  1. 1.Anatomical Institute of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515,China;  2.Department of Orthopedics, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282,China
  • Received:2014-10-30 Online:2015-05-25 Published:2015-07-24

Abstract:

Objective   To study the meningovertebral ligaments in the posterior cervical epidural space, and discuss their clinical significance.  Methods   First, the dorsal meningovertebral ligaments in cervical region were observed endoscopicly on 13 adult embalmed cadavers,and then the spinal canal was open,the morphology,orientation,attachment sites and distribution of the ligaments were observed by naked eyes and  a surgical microscope. The length,width and thickness or diameter of the ligaments under the surgical microscope were measured using vernier caliper. Finally,H&E staining and Massons trichrome staining was adopted to find out the morphological and histological characteristics of meningovertebral ligaments.  Results   The meningovertebral ligaments can be found in all of 13 cervical specimens, being located between the dura and the ligamenta flava or lamina. Most of the meningovertebral ligaments attach to the ligamenta flava. The occurrence rate of the meningovertebral ligaments is 100% at C1/2、C4/5 ligamenta flava(72.4%). The greatest thickness of the meningovertebral ligaments can be observed at the C1/2 ligamenta flava, which is (1.04±0.61)cm(0.3~2.01cm). The orientation of the ligaments mostly is craniocaudal. the morphology of the ligaments can be classified into four types: strip type, cord type, grid type, and thin slice type. Histologic examination of the meningovertebral ligaments revealed collagen fibrous connective tissue.  Conclusion    The meningovertebral ligaments originate from the dura and attach to the ligamentum flavum or lamina. The meningovertebra can immobilize the dual, and maintain the spinal cord at the right place. Moreover, the meningovertebral ligaments is an important structure that  can pose a potential risk for inadvertent dural cervical surgery. Dissecting the meningovertebral ligaments before cervical flavectomy or laminectomy may be an important step in reducing postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks and epidural hematoma, which may result in significant benefits for patients and health care organizations.

Key words: Cervical, The meningovertebral ligaments, Cerebrospinal fluid leaks, Anatomy