The myodural bridges' existence in the sperm whale - Fig 3

<p>A photograph (A) and a model image (B) of the dissected connective bridges showing occiput (occi), the musculus rectus capitis dorsalis minor (RCDmi), the dorsal atlanto-occipital membrane (DAOM), the occipital dural bridge (ODB), the myodural bridge (MDB), and spinal dura mater (SDM). occi, the occiput. RCDmi, the musculus rectus capitis dorsalis minor. DAOM, the dorsal atlanto-occipital membrane. ODB, the occipital dural bridge. MDB, the myodural bridge. SDM, spinal dura mater.</p

The transverse sectional view of the connective bridges and a model image.

<p>A: P45 sheet plastination slice of the the myodural bridge (MDB). B: P45 plastination slice of the the occipital dural bridge (ODB). C: Hematoxylin-Eosin slice of the the myodural bridge (MDB). D: a model highlighting the the musculus rectus capitis dorsalis minor (RCDmi), the dorsal atlanto-occipital membrane (DAOM), the myodural bridge (MDB), the venous plexus, the dura mater and the spinal nerve. periosteum of occi, periosteum of the occiput. RCDmi, the musculus rectus capitis dorsalis minor. DAOM, the dorsal atlanto-occipital membrane. ODB, the occipital dural bridge. MDB, the myodural bridge. SDM, spinal dura mater. d. dura, the dorsal dura. v. dura, the ventral dura. s. nerve, the spinal nerve. v. plexus, venous plexus. ▲, the fibers of the ODB and MDB.</p

The posterolateral view of subocciptal musculature and connective tissue in the atlanto-occipital interspace showing occiput (occi), the musculus rectus capitis dorsalis minor (RCDmi), the dorsal atlanto-occipital membrane (DAOM), atlas (C1) and the the capsule of the atlanto-occipital joint (o.c.). occi, the occiput.

<p>RCDmi, the musculus rectus capitis dorsalis minor. DAOM, the dorsal atlanto-occipital membrane. C1, atlas. o.c., the capsule of the atlanto-occipital joint.</p

The myodural bridges' existence in the sperm whale - Fig 1

<p>A basic sperm whale osteology model highlighting the enlarged skull and short cervical vertebrae (A). A photograph showing occiput (occi), atlas (C1), the fused vertebra (C2), and the atlanto-occipital interspace of the sperm whale (B). 1, scapula. 2, fin bone. 3, cervical vertebrae. occi, the occiput. C1, atlas. C2, the fused vertebra. ☆, the atlanto-occipital interspace.</p