Ligaments of Vertebral Column Flashcards
What is the anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL)?
Ligament that runs in front of the vertebral column from C2 to the sacrum
*anterior fibers of intervertebral discs blend with ALL
What is the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL)?
Ligament that runs behind the vertebral bodies from C2 to the sacrum
What is the ligamentum flavum?
Ligament with high elastin content that connects the lamina of vertebral bodies between each vertebrae
-forms part of posterior wall of the vertebral canal
*more posterior than PLL
*elastin assists with restoring a neutral position after flexion of the spine
What are the interspinous ligaments?
Ligaments that connect adjacent spinous processes
*located between each of the spinous processes
What are the supraspinous ligaments?
Ligaments that connect adjacent spinous processes from C7 to the sacrum
*like a rope and lays on top of the spinous processes
What is the anterior alanto-occipital membrane?
Ligament ONLY IN CERVICAL SPINE that is a continuation of the ALL
-connects the anterior arch of C1 to the occiput (edges of foramen magnum)
What is the tectoral membrane?
Ligament ONLY IN CERVICAL SPINE that is a continuation of the ALL
-connects C2 to the foramen magnum
**SITS RIGHT BEHIND ARTICULATION OF C1 ANDC2 & ARTICULATION OF C1 AND THE OCCIPUT = HUGE ROLE IN CERVICAL SPINE STABILITY
What is the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane?
Ligament ONLY IN CERVICAL SPINE that is a continuation of the ligmentum flavum
-Connects arches of C1 to occiput (edges of foramen magnum)
What is the nuchal ligament?
Ligament ONLY IN CERVICAL SPINE that is a continuation of the supraspinous ligament
-runs the length of the cervical spine (skull to C7), and makes a big flat ligament (rather than the “rope” of the supraspinous ligament)
-acts as a “room divider”/separates the muscles of the R/L posterior neck
What is the cruciate ligament?
Ligament ONLY IN CERVICAL SPINE that stabilizes the dens against the anterior arch of C1
Has 3 bands/sections:
-transverse band: horizontally across
-superior band: from occiput to dens
-inferior band: from body of C2 to dens
*located under/anterior to tectoral membrane
What are the alar ligaments?
Ligaments ONLY IN CERVICAL SPINE that extend from the sides of the dens to the lateral margins of the foramen magnum
*these LIMIT excessive rotation
What are the alar ligaments?
Ligaments ONLY IN CERVICAL SPINE that extend from the sides of the dens to the lateral margins of the foramen magnum
*these LIMIT excessive rotation
What is the apical ligament?
TINY ligament ONLY IN CERVICAL SPINE that runs from the apex/tip of the dens to the foramen magnum
