Ligaments of Vertebral Column

Question 1

What was ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament in the lumbar region identified as?

Answer 1

Forestier’s Disease

Question 2

What is ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament in the lumbar region now identified as?

Answer 2

Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis or DISH

Question 3

What is hyperostosis?

Answer 3

a greater than necessary ossification of the bone at a site of ligament attachment

Question 4

Where is ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament most commonly identified?

Answer 4

the cervical spine with and 80% incidence

Question 5

What is the gender, age, and ethnic bias associated with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 5

it is greater in males over 50 and has a higher incidence in the Japanese

Question 6

What is the name given to the ligamentum flavum based on appearance and histology?

Answer 6

it is a yellow elastic ligament

Question 7

What fibers are most ligaments made of?

Answer 7

collagen type I fibers which are whitish in appearance

Question 8

What is the function of the ligamenum flavum?

Answer 8

It brakes or limits flexion of the vertebral column

Question 9

What is now thought to be a major function of the ligamentum flavum?

Answer 9

it is an early prime factor in extension of the vertebral column

Question 10

Were is ossification of the ligamentum flavum most commonly identified?

Answer 10

the thoracic spine or thoracolumbar transition zone

Question 11

What is the relationship between the capsular ligament and mobility?

Answer 11

the more lax/loose the capsular ligament is, the greater the motion of the joint

Question 12

What regions of the vertebral column demostrate the greatest laxity of capsular ligaments?

Answer 12

the cervical and lumbar regions

Question 13

What is the status of the human interspinous ligament compared with other common ligaments?

Answer 13

they are poorly developed as ligaments although collagen fibers are present

Question 14

What is the status of the cervical interspinous ligament?

Answer 14

it is lacking, poorly developed, or simply considered the deep anterior part of the ligamentum nuchae

Question 15

What is now thought to be a major function of the interspinous ligament?

Answer 15

it is more likely a proprioceptive trasnducer for the spinal reflex

Question 16

What are the layers of liamentum nuchae?

Answer 16

a superficial and deep layer are identified

Question 17

What is the name given to the superficial layer of the ligamentum nuchae?

Answer 17

the funicular layer or part

Question 18

What is the name given to the deep layer of the ligamentum nuchae?

Answer 18

the lamellar layer or part

Question 19

What are the attachment sites for the superficial layer of the ligamentum nuchae?

Answer 19

the external occipital protuberance, external occipital crest, and spinous tubercle of C7

Question 20

What is the histological make-up of the human ligamentum nuchae?

Answer 20

it is a yellow elsatic ligament, but has more collagen fibers than in quadrupeds

Question 21

What is the termination level inferiorly for the supraspinous ligament according to current literature?

Answer 21

primalrily at L4(73%); between L4 and L5 (5%)

Question 22

Where is the supraspinous ligament said to be best developed?

Answer 22

in the lumbar spine

Question 23

What is now thought to be the major function of the supraspinous ligament?

Answer 23

it is a proprioceptive transducer for the spinal reflex

Question 24

Where in the vertebral column is the intertransverse ligament best developed?

Answer 24

in the lumbar spine

Question 25

What part of the intertransverse ligament in the lumbar spine covers the intervertebral foramen?

Answer 25

the ventral slip

Question 26

What part of the intertransverse ligament in the lumbar spine divides the body wall into an anterior muscular compartment and a posterior muscular compartment?

Answer 26

the dorsal slip