Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Isolation and Characterization of the Murine Uterosacral Ligaments and Pelvic Floor Organs
Published on: March 3, 2023
Microanatomical characteristics of the petrosphenoidal ligament of Gruber
Cigdem Icke1, Ercan Ozer, Nuri Arda
1Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Izmir, Turkey.
Aim:
The petrosphenoidal ligament (PSL, or Gruber's ligament) is located between the petrous apex (PA) and posterior clinoid process (PCP). Details of its anatomy are conflicting in the few studies that exist in the literature. We performed this study to describe in detail the microanatomical characteristics of Gruber's ligament.
Material And Methods:
20 human cadaveric heads (40 specimens) were used to make morphometric measurements and qualitative evaluations of the microanatomy of the petrosphenoidal ligament.
Results:
The anatomy of the PSL was predominately butterfly (78%) in shape, with the remaining being triangular (22%). The structure of the PSL was complete in 52% of cases and incomplete (fragmented or hypoplastic) in 38%. A second, smaller ligament was seen in 10% of cases. Mean length of the PSL was 13.4+/-3.2 mm, mean width was 6.1+/-3.2 mm at the PCP and 4.2+/-1.6 mm at the petrous apex. Butterfly-shaped ligaments were narrowest in the middle (mean 2.0+/-0.9 mm), while triangle-shaped ligaments were narrowest (mean 2.8+/-2.3 mm) at its end, at its insertion on the PA or PCP.
Conclusion:
The PSL (Gruber‘s ligament) is an important structure in the petroclival region. In this study, microanatomical characteristics were described in detail, along with new descriptions of its shape.
Related Concept Videos
Cranial Bones: Lateral View
The temporal bone forms the lower lateral side of the skull. The temporal bone is subdivided into several regions. The flattened upper portion is the squamous portion of the temporal bone. Below this area and projecting anteriorly is the zygomatic process of the temporal bone, which forms the posterior portion of the zygomatic arch. Posteriorly is the mastoid portion of the temporal bone. Projecting...
Structural Joints: Fibrous Joints
Suture
All the bones of the skull, except for the mandible, are joined to each other by a fibrous joint called a suture. The fibrous connective tissue found at a suture strongly unites the adjacent skull bones and thus helps to protect the brain and form the face. In...
The Pituitary Gland
Gross Anatomy of the Liver
Located under the diaphragm, the liver is almost entirely ensconced within the rib cage, providing it with substantial protection. Except for the superior most bare area, the liver's surface is covered...

