Joints and Ligaments of the Vertebral Column

Question 1

“yes” joint

What is it between?

Answer 1

Atlanto-Occipital Joint

Between the occipital condyles (skull) and cranial articular foveae of the atlas

Question 2

“no” joint

What is it stabilized by?

Answer 2

Atlanto-Axial Joint
Stabilized by:
Transverse ligament of the atlas
Apical ligament of the dens and alar ligaments

Question 3

What is more susceptible to breaking, the dens or the ligaments that stabilize the dens within the floor of the atlas?

Answer 3

the dens

Question 4

Anulus fibrosus

Answer 4

outer circumferential collagenous fibers of intervertebral discs

Question 5

nucleus pulposus

Answer 5

inner gelatinous core of the intervertebral column

Question 6

Which vertebrae to not have an intervertebral disc between them?

Answer 6

between the atlas and axis

Question 7

supraspinous ligament

Answer 7

fibrous connective tissue structure that connects the apices of the spinous processes

Question 8

nuchal ligament

species difference

Answer 8

extends from spine of T1 (dog)

Extends all the way to the nuchal crest of the occipital bone in the large animals

Question 9

Ventral longitudinal ligament location

Answer 9

located on the ventral surface of the vertebral bodies; mid-sagittal plane

Question 10

Dorsal longitudinal ligament location

Answer 10

located on the dorsal surface of the vertebral bodies, ventral to the spinal cord; mid-sagittal plane

Question 11

Intercapital ligament

location and function

Answer 11

located dorsal to the intervertebral disc and ventral to the dorsal longitudinal ligament
lends extra support to the dorsum of the intervertebral discs in the thoracic region, less likely to have dorsally bulging discs in this region