Ligaments of the Vertebral Column

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Ligaments of the Vertebral Column

Anterior longitudinal ligament

• Runs from the skull (occipital bone) to the sacrum on the anterior surface of the vertebral bodies and intervertebral disks.
• Is narrowest at the upper end but widens as it descends , maintaining the stability of the joints.
• Limits extension of the vertebral column, supports the annulus fibrosus anteriorly, and resists gravitational pull.

Posterior longitudinal ligament

• Interconnects the vertebral bodies and intervertebral disks posteriorly and narrows as it descends .
• Supports the posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies and the annulus fibrosus , but it runs anterior to the spinal cord within the vertebral canal.
• Limits flexion of the vertebral column and resists gravitational pull.

Ligamentum flavum

• Connects the laminae of two adjacent vertebrae and functions to maintain the upright posture .
• Forms the posterior wall of the vertebral canal between the vertebrae and may be pierced during lumbar (spinal) puncture.

Ligamentum nuchae (back of neck)

• Is a triangular-shaped median fibrous septum between the muscles on the two sides of the posterior aspect of the neck.
• Is formed by thickened supraspinous ligaments that extend from vertebra C7 to the external occipital protuberance and crest.
• Is also attached to the posterior tubercle of the atlas and to the spinous processes of the other cervical vertebrae.

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