Head & Spine: Ligaments

Question 1

Sphenomandibular Ligament

Answer 1

Attachments:
- superior: spine of sphenoid
- inferior: medial aspect of ramus of mandible
Fiber direction is inferior
Function: limits opening, protrustio & side to side mvmt

Question 2

Temporomandibular Ligament

aka lateral ligament

Answer 2

Attachments:
- superior: lateral surface of zygomatic arch
- inferior: lateral and posterior neck of condyle of mandible
Fiber direction is inferior and posterior
Function: limits side to side mvmt of condyle of mandible; limits retrusion of jaw

Question 3

Stylomandibular Ligament

Answer 3

Attachments:
- styloid process of temporal bone
- medial surface of posterior border of angle of mandible
Fiber direction is inferior and slightly anterior
Function: limits protusion

Question 4

Anterior Atlanto-occipital Ligament

Answer 4

Attachments:
- anterior margin of foramen magnum (C0)
- superior aspect of anterior arch of atlas (C1)
Fiber direction is inferior
Function: limits extension of C0 on C1

Question 5

Posterior Atlanto-occipital Ligament

Answer 5

Attachments:
- posterior margin of foramen magnum (C0)
- superior aspect of posterior arch of atlac (C1)
Fiber direction is inferior
Function: limits flexion of C0 on C1

Question 6

Lateral Atlanto-occipital Ligament

Answer 6

Attachments:
- jugular process of occipital bone (C0)
- base of TP of C1
Fiber direction is inferior and lateral
Function: limits extension of C0 on C1

Question 7

Transverse Ligament

Answer 7

Attachments:
- runs from tubercle to tubercle on the lateral masses (of C1)
Fiber direction is horizontal
Function: holds the dens in place

Question 8

Cruciate Ligament

Answer 8

Attachments:
- superior longitudinal band: anterior margin of foramen magnum (C0)
- inferior longitudinal band: posterior aspect of the body of the dens (C2)
Fiber direction is inferior

Question 9

Membrane Tectoria Ligament

aka tectoral membrane

Answer 9

Attachments: 
- anterior aspect of foramen magnum (C0)
- posterior surface of body of dens (C2)
Fiber direction is inferior
Function: limits flexion and extension of C0-C1 and C1-C2

Question 10

Anterior Atlanto-axial ligament

Answer 10

Attachments:
- inferior aspect of anterior arch of C1
- anterior aspect of body of dens (C2)
Fiber direction is inferior
Function: limits extension of C1-C2

Question 11

Posterior Atlanto-axial Ligament

Answer 11

Attachments:
- inferior aspect of posterior arch of C1
- posterior and superior aspect of lamina of C2
Fiber direction is inferior
Function: limits flexion of C1-C2

Question 12

Alar Ligament

Answer 12

Attachments:
- 2 facets on lateral aspect of dens (C2)
- medial aspect of occipital condyle (C0)
Fiber direction is superior and lateral
Function: limits rotation and side-bending

Question 13

Apical Ligament

Answer 13

Attachments:
- tips of dens (C2)
- anterior margin of foramen magnum (C0)
Fiber direction is inferior
Function: limits flexion and extension of C1-C2

Question 14

Anterior Longitudinal Ligament (ALL)

Answer 14

Attachments:
- anterior aspect of dens (C2)
- superficial: spans multiple vertebrae
- deep: intervertebral disc & adjacent vertebral bodies
Fiber direction is inferior
Function: limits extension of C-spine, T-spine & L-spine

Question 15

Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (PLL)

Answer 15

Attachments:
- posterior aspect of vertebral bodies
- anterior aspect of vertebral canal
- superficial: spans multiple vertebrae
- deep: intervertebral disc & adjacent vertebral bodies
Fiber direction is inferior
Function: limits flexion of C-spine, T-spine & L-spine; prevents protrusion of vertebral canal

Question 16

Ligamentum Flava (Flavum)

Answer 16

Attachments:
- superior vertebrae: inferior part of anterior aspect of lamina
- inferior vertebrae: superior part of posterior aspect of lamina
Fiber direction is inferior
Function: limits flexion and rotation of C-spine, T-spine & L-spine

Question 17

Ligamentum Nuchae

Answer 17

Attachments:
- external occipital protuberance
- tip of spinous processes
Fiber direction is inferior
Function: limits flexion of C-spine, T-spine & L-spine; attachment for muscles

Question 18

Interspinous Ligament

Answer 18

Attachments:
- inferior aspect of spinous process above
- superior aspect of spinous process below
Fiber direction is inferior to superior
Function: limits flexion and rotation

Question 19

Intertransverse Ligament

Answer 19

Attachments:
- inferior aspect of TP above
- superior aspect of TP below
Fiber direction is inferior
Function: limits side-bending and rotation

Question 20

Supraspinous Ligament

Answer 20

Attachments:
- tip of spinous processes
Fiber direction is inferior
Function: limits flexion of spine

Question 21

Interarticular (costovertebral) Ligament

Answer 21

Attachments:
- lateral aspect of intervertebral disc
- medial aspect of crest of head of rib
Fiber direction is horizontal
Function: splits synovial membrane into 2 joint cavities

Question 22

Radiate (costovertebral) Ligament

Answer 22

Attachments:
- anterior surface of head of rib
- sides of vertebral bodies (superior = vertebrae above; middle = IVD; inferior = vertebrae below)
Fiber direction is superior = medial and superior; middle = horizontal; inferior = medial and inferior
Function: limits elevation (inferior fibers), depression (superior fibers), rotation (middle fibers)

Question 23

Superior Costotransverse Ligament

Answer 23

Attachments:
- anterior fibers: superior border of neck of rib, inferior aspect of TP
- posterior fibers: posterior aspect of neck of rib, inferior aspect of TP
Fiber direction for anterior = upward/lateral; posterior = upward/medial
Function: limits depression of ribs

Question 24

Costotransverse Ligament

Answer 24

Attachments:
- posterior aspect of neck of rib
- anterior aspect of TP
Fiber direction is oblique
Function: limits elevation, depression & rotation of ribs

Question 25

Lateral Costotransverse Ligament

Answer 25

Attachments:
- non-articular surface on tubercle of rib
- tip of TP
Fiber direction is horizontal
Function: limits elevation, depression & rotation of ribs

Question 26

Radiate Sternocostal Ligament

Answer 26

Attachments:
- anterior and posterior aspect of steranl ends of costocartilage
- anterior and posterior aspect of sternum
Fiber direction is upper = ascend oblique; middle = horizontal; lower = descend inferior
Function: limits elevation, depression & rotation of ribs

Question 27

Interarticular Sternocostal Ligament

Answer 27

Attachments:
- crest of 2nd rib
- sternal angle (on sternum)
Fiber direction is horizontal
Function: limits elevation, depression & rotation of 2nd rib

Question 28

Costoxiphoid Ligament

Answer 28

Attachments:
- sternal end of 7th costocartilage
- xiphoid process
Fiber direction is ascending superiorly
Function: limits elevation, depression & rotation of ribs