McRae line
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Venkatesh M, Gaillard F, Jones J, et al. McRae line. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 27 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-25669
rID:
25669
Article created:
2 Nov 2013,
Manchikanti Venkatesh
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Manchikanti Venkatesh had no recorded disclosures.
View Manchikanti Venkatesh's current disclosures
Last revised:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Frank Gaillard had the following disclosures:
- Radiopaedia Australia Pty Ltd and Radiopaedia Events Pty Ltd, Director, Founder and CEO (Radiopaedia) (ongoing)
- Biogen Australia Pty Ltd, Investigator-Initiated Research Grant for CAD software in multiple sclerosis: finished Oct 2021 (past)
These were assessed during peer review and were determined to not be relevant to the changes that were made.
View Frank Gaillard's current disclosures
Revisions:
14 times, by
9 contributors -
see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Tags:
Synonyms:
- McRae's line
McRae line is a radiographic line drawn on a lateral skull radiograph or on a midsagittal section of CT or MRI that connects the anterior and posterior margins of the foramen magnum (basion to opisthion).
Significance
- indicates the presence of basilar invagination (atlantoaxial impaction): the tip of the odontoid process is normally about 5 mm below this line; basilar invagination is diagnosed when the tip crosses this line
- helps to measure the cerebellar tonsillar position: normal is above the foramen magnum
See also
References
- 1. Kwong Y, Rao N, Latief K. Craniometric measurements in the assessment of craniovertebral settling: are they still relevant in the age of cross-sectional imaging?. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2011;196 (4): W421-5. doi:10.2214/AJR.10.5339 - Pubmed citation
- 2. Cronin CG, Lohan DG, Mhuircheartigh JN et-al. CT evaluation of Chamberlain's, McGregor's, and McRae's skull-base lines. Clin Radiol. 2009;64 (1): 64-9. doi:10.1016/j.crad.2008.03.012 - Pubmed citation
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Articles:
Cases:
- Chiari 1 malformation
- Chiari 1 malformation with syrinx
- Chiari 1.5 malformation
- Chiari 1 malformation
- Chiari 1 malformation with syrinx
- Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
- Chiari 1 malformation
- Chiari 1 malformation
- Atraumatic odontoid fracture - rheumatoid arthritis
- Chiari I malformation
- Chiari 1 malformation
- Chiari 1 malformation
- Chiari I with syrinx and skull base anomalies
- Chiari I malformation
- Chiari I malformation with syrinx
- Chiari 1.5 malformation
- Chiari 1 malformation with atlanto-occipital assimilation and basilar invagination
- Basilar invagination
- Basilar invagination - measurements (illustration)
- Normal brain (MRI)
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