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What body structures support a flying squirrel’s gliding membrane?

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Do squirrels forget where they hide their food? — squirrel Overview of food-burying behaviour in squirrels.

A flying squirrel’s gliding membrane, known as the patagium, is primarily supported by the animal's limbs and specialized skeletal structures. The membrane consists of loose skin and underlying muscle that stretches between the forelimbs and hind limbs when the squirrel assumes a spread-eagle posture.12

To provide additional structural support for the front portion of the membrane, a cartilaginous rod extends from the squirrel's wrist. By extending its limbs, the squirrel stretches these membranes to create a gliding platform, which it then controls by manipulating the membranes and its tail.1