Segmental Syndesmoses Of The Spine (Some Additional Joints/Ligaments)

Question 1

Name the 6 segmental syndesmoses of the spine

Answer 1

Ligamentum flavum, interspinous ligaments, intertransverse ligaments, accessory ligament, cruciate ligament, apical ligament of dens

Question 2

Name the 2 membranes of the the ligamentum flava. Where are each of them located btwn?

Answer 2

Post. Atlantooccipital mmrbn = btwn post. Arch of atlas + foramen magnum
Post. Atlantoaxial mmrbn = btwn post. Arch of atlas + laminae of axis

Question 3

This syndesmosis is located btwn laminae of adjacent vertebrae

Answer 3

Ligamentum Flava

Question 4

What is Ligamentum Flava composed of? Where is it thickest? What is its function?

Answer 4

Yellow elastic tissue (flavum = yellow)
Lumbar
Brake separation btwn laminae during spine flexion

Question 5

This syndesmoses ant. Meets ligamentum flava, + post. Meets supraspinous ligament

Answer 5

Interspinous ligaments

Question 6

What do Interspinous ligaments connect? What are they incorporated into in the cervical region? Where are they narrow? Thick?

Answer 6

Adjacent SP’s along their length
Ligamentum nuchae
Thoracic
Lumbar

Question 7

These syndesmoses are located btwn TPs of adjacent vertebrae

Answer 7

Intertransverse ligaments

Question 8

How do Intertransverse ligaments exist differently depending on the region of the spine

Answer 8

Cervical - largely replaced by intertransverse muscles
Thoracic - blend w/ adjacent muscles
Lumbar - thin + membranous

Question 9

Accessory ligaments include which two joints?

Answer 9

Lateral atlantoaxial + atlantoaxial joints

Question 10

Where are the lateral atlantoaxial joints are located btwn? What type of joint are they based on their surfaces + movement?

Answer 10

Lateral masses of atlas + sup. Facets of TPs of axis
Plane, synovial

Question 11

Lateral atlantoaxial joints include what component? Thickening of this component is known as what syndesmoses?

Answer 11

Thin synovial capsules
Accessory ligament

Question 12

Atlantoaxial joints connect the atlas + axis via what?

Answer 12

Post. + ant. Atlantoaxial membranes

Question 13

What type of joint is the Median atlantoaxial? What components are involved in this joint? What is found btwn the dens + fovea dentis? Btwn the transverse atlantal ligament + dens?

Answer 13

Trochoid (pivot)
Dens + ant. Arch of atlas; transverse atlantal ligament
Synovial capsule
Bursa

Question 14

The cruciate ligament is formed by what 2 components? Sup. Longitudinal fibers arise from _____ and attach to _____ deep to tectorial mmbrn.
Inf. Longitudinal fibers arise from _____ and attach to ______ deep to PLL

Answer 14

Atlantal ligament + longitudinal fibers
Transverse lig.; clivus
Transverse lig.; body of axis

Question 15

This membrane is a continuation of PLL

Answer 15

Tectorial membrane

Question 16

Tectorial membrane ascends ______ to dens + cruciate ligament and attaches to _____. What does this membrane blend with?

Answer 16

Post.
Clivus
Cranial dura mater

Question 17

Alar ligaments arise from either side of the _____ and ascend laterally to the medial sides of the ______.

Answer 17

Apex of dens
Occipital condyles

Question 18

Alar ligaments:
_____ in ext.
_____ in flex.
Sometimes referred to as “check” ligaments b/c their primary function is to prevent _____.

Answer 18

Relax
Tighten
Over rotation to the contra. side

Question 19

This ligament attaches dens of axis to the occipital bone

Answer 19

Apical Dental Ligament