Spinal Ligaments

Question 1

Anterior atlanto-occiptal ligament

Answer 1

Attachment: From foramen magnum to C1 on the anterior arch

Function: Prevents excessive movement of atlanto occipital joints

Question 2

Anterior atlanto-axial ligament

Answer 2

Attachments: From anterior tubercle of the anterior arch of C1 to body of C2

Function: Limits extension and connects anterior arch of Atlas to the body of the Axis

Question 3

Posterior atlanto-occipital ligament

Answer 3

Attachements: From foramen magnum to C1

Function: Helps prevent excessive movement of the atlanto-occiptal joint

Question 4

Posterior atlanto-axial ligament

Answer 4

Attachements: C1 to C2

Function: Stabilization of the atlanto-axial joint

Question 5

Anterior Longitudinal Ligament (ALL)

Answer 5

Attachements: C2 through sacrum

Function: Limits extension (prevents hyperextesion), found on the anterior aspect of the vertebral bodies

Question 6

Posterior Logitudinal Ligament (PLL)

Answer 6

Attchments: From C2 to sacrum

Functions: Limits flexion

Question 7

Ligamenta Flava (Flavum)

Answer 7

Attachments: Lamina to lamina on both right and left sides from C2 to sacrum

Function: Resists separation of the vertebral lamina by limiting abrupt flexion

Question 8

Interspinous Ligaments

Answer 8

Attachments: Spinous process to spinous process from C2 to the sacrum

Function: Limits flexion

Question 9

Supraspinous Ligament

Answer 9

Attachments: From C7 to sacrum on the most posterior portion of the spinous process

Function: Limits flexion

Question 10

Nuchal Ligament

Answer 10

Attachements: From occiput to C7 (has superficial and deep layers), Thickens at C2

Function: Limits cervical flexion

Question 11

Intertransverse Ligaments

Answer 11

Attachments: Trasverse process to transverse process on both right and left sides from C1 to sacrum

Function: Limits lateral flexion

Question 12

Tectorial Membrane

Answer 12

Attachments: From foramen magnum to body of C2

Function: Prevents the odointoid process from compressing the spinal cord (strong superior continuation of the posterior longitudinal ligament)

Question 13

Cruciate (Cruciform) Ligament

Answer 13

Attachments: From foramen magnum to C2, Transverse ligament of atlas and and vertical ligament from the skull

Function: Holds the body of C2 and dens to the inside of the skull

Looks like a cross

Question 14

Alar Ligament

Answer 14

Attchments: From lateral aspect of dens on C2 up to lateral aspect of foramen magnum

Function: Limits head rotation and lateral flexion

Question 15

Apical Ligament

Answer 15

Attachments: Median Ligament connects Apex of Odontoid process (Dens) to foramen magnum. Deep to the Cruciate Ligament.

Function: Limits head rotation and lateral flexion

Question 16

Transverse Ligament

Answer 16

Attachments: It attaches on the medial side of each large, lateral process of the atlas with the anterior side of the middle part touching the odontoid process.

Function: Responsible for keeping the anterior facet of the atlas against the dens of the axis

Question 17

Superior Costotransverse Ligament

Answer 17

Attachments: joins the crest of the neck of the rib to the transverse process superior to it

Functions: support and prevent dislocation of the ribs

Question 18

Lateral Costotransverse Ligament

Answer 18

Attachments: Tubercle of the rib to the tip of the transverse process

Function: Limits the movement of ribs

Question 19

Radiate Ligament

Answer 19

Attachments: Fans out from the anterior margin of the head of the rib to the sides of the bodies of two vertebrae and the IV disc between them

Functions: stabilizes costovertebral joints and limits movement of the rib