Ligaments of the (thoracic) spine

Question 1

what are ligaments that are present throughout the vertebral column?

Answer 1

Anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments
Ligamentum flavum
Interspinous ligament
Supraspinous ligament

Question 2

where do the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments run and what do they cover?

Answer 2

Long ligaments that run the length of the vertebral column, covering the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs

Question 3

what does ligamentum flavum connect?

Answer 3

Connects the laminae of adjacent vertebrae

Question 4

what does the interspinous ligament connect?

Answer 4

Connects the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae

Question 5

what does the supraspinous ligament connect?

Answer 5

Connects the tips of adjacent spinous processes

Question 6

In the cervical spine, what do the interspinous and supraspinous ligaments thicken and combine to form?

Answer 6

the nuchal ligament

Question 7

what are ligaments specific to the thoracic spine to support the costovertebral joints?

Answer 7

Radiate ligament of head of rib
Costotransverse ligament
Lateral costotransverse ligament
Superior costotransverse ligament

Question 8

what does the radiate ligament of head of rib connect?

Answer 8

Fans outwards from the head of the rib to the bodies of the two vertebrae and intervertebral disc

Question 9

what does the costotransverse ligament connect?

Answer 9

Connects the neck of the rib and the transverse process

Question 10

where does the lateral costotransverse ligament extend from and to?

Answer 10

Extends from the transverse process to the tubercle of the rib

Question 11

where does the superior costotransverse ligament pass from and to?

Answer 11

Passes from the upper border of the neck of the rib to the transverse process of the vertebra superior to it