Posterior atlantooccipital membrane

Posterior atlantooccipital membrane
Posterior atlantooccipital membrane and atlantoaxial ligament. (Posterior atlantooccipital membrane is topmost gray region at center.)
Details
Identifiers
Latinmembrana atlantooccipitalis posterior
TA98A03.1.08.004
TA21633
FMA25006
Anatomical terminology

The posterior atlantooccipital membrane (posterior atlantooccipital ligament) is a broad but thin membrane:99 extending between the posterior margin of the foramen magnum above, and posterior arch of atlas (first cervical vertebra) below. It forms the floor of the suboccipital triangle.

The membrane helps limit excessive movement of the atlanto-occipital joints.:99