Ligaments of the Spine (Quiz 3)

Question 1

What are the 15 ligaments of the vertebral column?

Answer 1

1) ALL
2) ligamentum flava
3) intertransverse ligament
4) interspinous ligament
5) supraspinous ligament
6) nuchal ligament
7) PLL
8) tectorial membrane
9) transverse ligament
10) cruciate ligament
11) alar ligament
12) apical ligament
13) anterior and posterior atlanto-occipital membranes
14) anterior and posterior atlanto-axial membranes
15) iliolumbar ligament

Question 2

Which ligament covers and connects the anterolateral aspect of the vertebral bodies and IVDs?

Answer 2

ALL

Question 3

Which ligament extends longitudinally from the pelvic surface of the sacrum to the anterior border of the foramen magnum?

Answer 3

ALL

Question 4

Which ligament’s fibers blend with the anterior atlanto-axial and atlanto-occipital membranes?

Answer 4

ALL

Question 5

What is the function of the ALL?

test q

Answer 5

prevent hyperextension of the vertebral column

Question 6

What is the most common way to injury the ALL?

Answer 6

car accidents

Question 7

Which ligament is the only one that limits extension below the atlas?

test q

Answer 7

ALL (note: all other ligaments limit flexion)

Question 8

Most ligaments of the vertebral column limit….

Answer 8

flexion

Question 9

The intertransverse ligament limits….

Answer 9

anterior and lateral flexion

Question 10

Are the interspinous ligaments weak or strong?

Answer 10

weak

Question 11

Is the supraspinous ligament weak or strong?

Answer 11

strong

Question 12

Which ligament connect lamina?

Answer 12

ligamentum flava

Question 13

Which ligament contains yellow elastin that may constrict and prevents buckling into the spinal canal during extension?

Answer 13

ligamentum flava

Question 14

Which ligament assists with straightening of the column after flexing?

Answer 14

ligamentum flava

Question 15

What is the strongest ligament of the vertebral column?

Answer 15

nuchal ligament

Question 16

Which ligament is a superior continuation of the supraspinous ligament?

Answer 16

nuchal ligament

Question 17

Which ligament runs from the SP of C7 to the EOP?

Answer 17

nuchal ligament

Question 18

The nuchal ligament provides attachment for….

Answer 18

muscles

Question 19

Which ligament covers the posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies and IVD (mainly to IVDs)?

Answer 19

PLL

Question 20

Which ligament runs from the body of C2 to the posterior surface of sacrum?

Answer 20

PLL

Question 21

Which ligament weakly resists hyperflexion?

Answer 21

PLL

Question 22

Which ligament has abundant pain receptors and can send lots of pain signals?

test q

Answer 22

PLL

Question 23

Which ligament is a superior continuation of the PLL?

Answer 23

tectorial membrane

Question 24

Which ligament runs from the body of C2 through the foramen magnum?

Answer 24

tectorial membrane

Question 25

Which ligament limits both flexion and extension of the atlanto-occipital joint?

Answer 25

tectorial membrane

Question 26

Which ligament forms the medial atlanto-axial joint (the ONLY ligament to form a joint)?

test q

Answer 26

transverse ligament

Question 27

Which ligament extends between the lateral masses of C1 and facilitates rotation?

test q

Answer 27

transverse ligament

Question 28

Which ligament facilitates rotation, but prevents cord compression during flexion?

test q

Answer 28

transverse ligament

Question 29

Which ligament resembles a cross?

Answer 29

cruciate ligament

Question 30

Which ligament is formed by the transverse ligament of the atlas and the superior and inferior longitudinal bands (different from longitudinal ligaments)?

Answer 30

cruciate ligament

note: the longitudinal bands primarily function to hold the transverse ligament in place

Question 31

Which ligament extends from the sides of the dens to the lateral margins of the foramen magnum?

Answer 31

alar ligament

Question 32

The alar ligament prevents/resists….

Answer 32

excessive rotation

Question 33

Which ligament attaches to the superior apex of the dens to the anterior aspect of the foramen magnum?

Answer 33

apical ligament

Question 34

Which ligament is weak and could be a remnant from the notochord?

Answer 34

apical ligament

Question 35

Which ligament extends from the anterior arch of C1 to the anterior margins of the foramen magnum?

Answer 35

anterior atlanto-occipital membrane

Question 36

The ALL blends with…

Answer 36

the anterior AA and AO membranes

Question 37

Which ligament extends from the posterior arch of C1 to the posterior margins of the foramen magnum?

Answer 37

posterior atlanto-occipital membrane

Question 38

Which ligament extends from the body of C2 to the anterior arch of C1?

Answer 38

anterior atlanto-axial membrane

Question 39

Which ligament extends from the vertebral arch of C2 to the posterior arch of C1?

Answer 39

posterior atlanto-axial membrane

Question 40

What is ponticulus posticus?

test q

Answer 40

-calcification of the posterior AO membrane
-a bony prominence arises from the posterior arch and/or the superior articular process (lateral mass) of the atlas
-the calcification can be complete or partially encircle the vertebral artery and the dorsal rami of C1 spinal n.

Question 41

The lumbosacral joint is stabilized by the same typical ligaments that stabilize all vertebral joints from C2-S1. It is further strengthened by the iliolumbar ligaments that run from the TPs of _____ to the _______

Answer 41

L5, ilia