Vertebral Canal Flashcards
What are 2 groups are the ligaments of the vertebral column divided into?
- Ligaments of the arch
- Ligaments of the body
What are the 2 ligaments of the vertebral body?
- Anterior longitudinal ligament
- Posterior longitudinal ligament
What ligament is highlighted in green?
Anterior longitudinal ligament
Where does the anterior longitudinal ligament lie?
On the Anterolateral aspect of the vertebral bodies
What are the attachments of the anterior longitudinal ligament?
Runs from the base of the skull to the sacrum
Describe the layers of the anterior longitudinal ligament?
- Made up of 3 layers of dense collagen fibres
- The deep fibres bind adjacent vertebrae together
- Superficial fibres span multiple segments
What movement does the anterior longitudinal ligament limit?
EXTENSION
What ligament is highlighted in green?
Posterior Longitudinal ligament
Where does the posterior longitudinal ligament lie?
Within the vertebral canal on the posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies
At which vertebral level does the posterior longitudinal ligament start?
C2
What are the attachments of the posterior longitudinal ligament?
Runs from C2 to the sacrum
Attaches to the IV discs and margins of the vertebrae
What is often found between the posterior longitudinal ligament and the bone?
Fat and vessels
What is the role of the posterior longitudinal ligament?
- Prevents posterior herniation of the IV disc
- Limits FLEXION (weakly)
What are the ligaments of the vertebral arch and processes?
- Ligamenta Flava
- Interspinous Ligaments
- Supraspinous Ligaments
- Intertransverse ligaments
- Nuchal Ligament
What ligament is highlighted in green?
Ligamentum Flavum
Where do the ligamenta flava attach?
Connect the laminae of the adjacent vertebrae together
What are the roles of the ligamenta flava?
- To help maintain the curvatures of the spine
- To reinforce the wall of the vertebral canal posteriorly
- Limits flexion
What ligament is highlighted?
Interspinous ligament