Major Ligaments (Vertebral Column)

Question 1

Annulus fibrosus (outer fibers)

Answer 1

Function:
Resists distraction, translation, and rotation of vertebral bodies

Region:
Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar

Question 2

Anterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 2

Function:
Limits extension and reinforces anterolateral portion of annulus fibrosus and anterior aspect of intervertebral joints

Region:
C2 to sacrum, but well developed in cervical, lower thoracic, and lumbar regions

Question 3

Anterior atlantoaxial ligament (continuation of the anterior longitudinal ligament)

Answer 3

Function:
Limits extension

Region:
C2 to the occipital bone

Question 4

Posterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 4

Function:
Limits forward flexion and reinforces posterior portion of the annulus fibrosus

Region:
Axis (C2) to sacrum. Broad in the cervical and thoracic regions and narrow in the lumbar region.

Question 5

Tectorial membrane (continuation of the posterior longitudinal ligament)

Answer 5

Function:
Limits forward flexion

Region:
Axis (C2) to occipital bone

Question 6

Ligamentum flavum

Answer 6

Function:
Limits forward flexion, particularly in the lumbar area, where it resists separation of the laminae

Region:
Axis (C2) to sacrum. Thin, broad, and long in cervical and thoracic regions and thickest in the lumbar region

Question 7

Posterior atlantoaxial ligament (continuation of the ligamentum flavum)

Answer 7

Function:
Limits flexion

Region:
Atlas (C1) and axis (C2)

Question 8

Supraspinous ligaments

Answer 8

Function:
Limit forwar flexion

Region:
Thoracic and lumbar (C7–L3 or L4). Weak in lumbar region.

Question 9

Ligamentum nuchae

Answer 9

Function:
Limit forward flexion

Region:
Cervical region (occipital protuberance to C7)

Question 10

Intertransverse ligaments

Answer 10

Function:

1) Limit forward flexion
2) Limit contralateral lateral flexion

Region:
1) Primarily in lumbar region, where they are well developed

Question 11

Alar ligaments

Answer 11

Function:
Limit rotation of the head to the same side and lateral flexion to the opposite side

Region:
Atlas (C1 and C2)

Question 12

Iliolumbar ligament

Answer 12

Function:
Resists anterior sliding of L5 and S1

Region:
Lower lumbar region

Question 13

Zygapophyseal joint capsules

Answer 13

Function:
Resist forward flexion and axial rotation

Region:
Strongest at cervicothoracic junction and in the thoracolumbar region