Lecture 4 Ligaments Of The Vertebral Column Flashcards
Function of ligaments
Provide stability by preventing excess movement
Most effective in supporting loads in the direction in which their fibres run
Support loads under tension and can buckle under compression
Store energy (potential)
Name the ligaments of the vertebral column
Ligamentum flavour
Interspinous ligament
Supraspinous ligament
Facet capsulary ligament
Intertransverse ligament
Posterior longitudinal ligament
Anterior longitudinal ligament
Major ligaments of the vertebral column
Anterior longitudinal ligament
Posterior longitudinal ligament
Lie directly posterior or anterior to the ventral body
Which major ligament is stronger
Anterior longitudinal ligament
Anterior longitudinal ligament
Runs continuously from the anterior tubercle of the atlas (C1) to the sacrum
Connects to periosteum of the vertebral body
Over the intervertebral discs it is loosely attached and mobile
Prevents hyperextension of the vertebral column
Posterior longitudinal ligament
From C2 (axis) to sacral canal
Superior to axis - continues as tectorial membrane of the atlanto-axial joint
Prevents hyperflexion of the vertebral column
Reinforces the annulus fibrosus centrally so prolapse would tend to occur laterally to the posterior longitudinal ligament - paracentral disc prolapse
Ligamentum flavum
High elastin content
Yellow
Situated between laminae of adjacent vertebrae
Stretched during flexion of spine
Interspinous ligament
Relatively weak sheets of fibrous tissue
Connect the spinous processes along the adjacent borders
Highly developed in lumbar spine region
Increase stability - resist hyperflexion
Fuse posteriorly to supraspinous ligament
Supraspinous ligament
Runs along the tips of the adjacent spinous processes
Strong band of fibrous tissue
Taught in flexion - resists hyperflexion
Increase stability
During flexion, which ligaments are under tension
Posterior longitudinal ligament
Ligamentum flavum
Supraspinous ligament
Interspinous ligament
During flexion, which structures undergo compression
Anterior longitudinal ligament
Intervertebral discs
Vertebral bodies
Affect of ageing
Nucleus pulposus dehydrates therefore less bodyweight load is transmitted through the vertebral bodies and more via facets.
Osteoarthritis
