Ligaments of vertebral

Column/Spine
By Gaurav Pradhan
Ligaments of vertebral Column
 The ligamentous system of the vertebral column is
extensive and exihibits considerable regional
variability.six main ligaments are associated with the
intervertebral and zygapophyseal joints.They are the
anterior and posterior longitudinal ligament, the
ligamentum flavum;and the
interspinous,supraspinous, and intertransverse
ligaments.
The Anterior Longitudinal Ligament
 This is a strong ,broad fibrous band that covers and connects the
anterior aspects of the bodies of vertebrae and the
intervertebral disks.
 This ligament is thickest when opposite the disks.
 It extends from pelvic surface of the sacrum to the anterior
tubercle of c1(atlas) and the occipital bone of the skull,anterior to
the foramen magnum.
 The fibres of this ligament firmly attaches to the intervertebral
disks and the periosteum of the vertebral bodies.
 This strong ligament helps to maintain the stability of the joints
between the vertebral bodies and helps prevents the
hyperextension of the vertebral column.
 The ligament is compressed in flexion and stretched in extension.
The Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

 This is a narrower ,weaker band than anterior longitudinal

ligament.It runs along the posterior aspects of the vertebral
bodies,within the vertebral canal.
 It is broadest superiorly ,where it is continuous with the
tectorial membrane.which is attached to the occipital bone on
the interior aspects of the foramen magnum.
 It is attached to the intervertebral discs and the posterior
edges of the vertebral bodies from the axis(C2) to the sacrum.
 The posterior longitudinal ligament also helps to prevent
hyperflexion of the vertebral column and posterior protrusion
of the of the nucleus pulposus of the disks.
 It is stretched in flexion and is slack in extension.
Ligamentum Flavum
 The laminae of the adjacent vertebral arches are joined by
broad,elastic bands called ligamentum flava,which extends almost
vertically from the lamina above to the lamina below.
 The ligamentum flavum was given its name because of its fibres
mainly consists of yellow elastic tissue.
 The ligaments are attached superior to the anterior surfaces of the
inferior borders of a pair of laminae;and inferiorly to the posterior
surfaces of the superior surfaces of the next succeeding pair.
 Some of the fibres extend to the articular capsule of the facet joints
and contribute to the posterior boundaries of the intervertebral
foramina.
 The ligamentum flava help to preserve the normal curvature of the
vertebral column and to straighten the column after it has been flexed.
 Interspinous Ligaments
 The interspinous ligament is described as a fibrous sheet
consisting of type 1 collagen,proteoglycans,and profuse
elastin fibres.
 It connects spinous process of adjacent vertebra.
 The interspinous ligament,along with the supraspinous
ligament, is the first to be damaged with excessive flexion.
 The interspinous ligament is innervated by medial branches
of the dorsal rami and thought to be a possible source of
low back pain.
 The interspinous ligament has found to contribute to
lumbar spine stability and to degenerate with aging.
Supraspinous Ligament
 The supraspinous ligament is a strong cord like structure
that connects the tips of the spinous processes from the
seventh cervical vertebra to L3 or L 4.
 In the cervical region ,the ligament becomes the
ligamentum nuchae.
 The supraspinous ligament, like the interspinous
ligament, is stretched in flexion ,and its fibres resist
separation of the spinous process during forward flexion.
 During hyperflexion, the supraspinous ligament along
with the interspinous ligament, is the first to fail.
Intertransverse Ligament
 The structure of the paired intertransverse ligament is
extremely variable.
 In general the ligaments passes between the transverse
processes and attach to the deep muscles of the back.
 In the cervical region only a few fibres of the ligaments
are found.
 The membranous fibres of the ligament form part of
the thoracolumbar fascia.
 The ligaments are alternatively stretched and
compressed during lateral bending.
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