Open AccessThe myodural bridge of the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) alters CSF flow
Author(s) -
Bruce A. Young,
James Truslow Adams,
Jonathan Beary,
KentAndré Mardal,
Robert F. Schneider,
Tatyana Kondrashova
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of experimental biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.367
H-Index - 185
eISSN - 1477-9145
pISSN - 0022-0949
DOI - 10.1242/jeb.230896
Subject(s) - alligator , cerebrospinal fluid , anatomy , spinal cord , medicine , bridge (graph theory) , cerebrospinal fluid pressure , mechanics , neuroscience , biology , physics , paleontology
Disorders of the volume, pressure, or circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lead to disease states in both newborns and adults; despite this significance, there is uncertainty regarding the basic mechanics of the CSF. The suboccipital muscles connect to the dura surrounding the spinal cord, forming a complex termed the “myodural bridge;” this study tests the hypothesis that the myodural bridge functions to alter the CSF circulation. The suboccipital muscles of American alligators were surgically exposed and electrically stimulated simultaneous with direct recordings of CSF pressure and flow. Contraction of the suboccipital muscles significantly changed both CSF flow and pressure. By demonstrating another influence on CSF circulation and pulsatility, the present study increases our understanding of the mechanics underlying the movement of the CSF.