Vertebral Column Flashcards
What are the 2 purposes of the anterior longitudinal ligament?
Maintains stability of IV joints
Limits vertebral extension
What 3 joints must work together to create a motion segment?
Facet, vertebral, zygopophyseal
Location of anterior longitudinal ligament
Pelvic surface of sacrum to anterior tubercle of C1/ occipital bone
Purpose of the posterior longitudinal ligament
Prevents hyperflexion of vertebral column
Prevents herniated discs
Location of posterior longitudinal ligament
C2-sacrum
Purpose of ligamentum flava
Stops abrupt flexion of IV to prevent separation/injury
Preserves posture
Assists in straightening vertebral column when flexed
Location of ligamentum flava
Joins adjacent laminae together
Location and attachment of nuchal ligament
EOP to C7
Attaches to spinous processes
List the vertebral ligaments from most posterior to most anterior
Supraspinous Nuchal Interspinous Flava Anterior longitudinal
Why do atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial (cranial joints) have the most movement
Lack of IV discs
What is the location and main action of the atlanto-occipital joint?
Between C1 and occipital condyle
Flexion
What is the make-up, location, and action of the atlanto-axial joint?
2 lateral and 1 median
Rotation
Between dens of C2 and ligament of axis
Location of cruciate ligament
C2-occipital bone
Location and purpose of alar ligament
Cranium-C2
Prevents excessive rotation
What is the tectorial membrane and where is it located?
Continuation of the posterior longitudinal ligament
C2-occipital bone
Covers alar ligament and transverse ligament of atlas
