Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Question 1

What is the classification of the posterior longitudinal ligament-vertebral body joint?

Answer 1

fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis

Question 2

What vertebral levels will the posterior longitudinal ligament attach to?

Answer 2

those between C2 and S3 inclusive

Question 3

What are the specific bony attachment sites for the posterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 3

• the posterior inferior epiphyseal rim of vertebral body C2
• the posterior superior epiphyseal rim and posterior inferior epiphyseal rim of each vertebral body C3-S2
• the posterior superior epiphyseal rim of the S3 vertebral body

Question 4

What will the posterior longitudinal ligament attach to in addition to vertebral bodies?

Answer 4

the intervertebral disc

Question 5

Newer research suggests what regional variation in the posterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 5

prominent in the cervicals, occasional in the thoracics, rare in the lumbars

Question 6

What is the relationship of the posterior longitudinal ligament to the vertebral foramen?

Answer 6

if forms the anterior boundary of the spinal canal

Question 7

What is the extent of the posterior longitudinal ligament attachment laterally?

Answer 7

it is not firmly attached to the intervertebral disc, making the area susceptible to herniation or protrusion

Question 8

What is the appearance of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the cervical spine?

Answer 8

it is parallel along its lateral margins

Question 9

What is the appearance of the posterior longitudinal ligament along the thoracic spine?

Answer 9

• it is parallel along its lateral margins in the upper thoracic spine
• hourglass shaped in the lower thoracic spine

Question 10

What is the appearance of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the lumbar spine?

Answer 10

it is hourglass shaped along its lateral margins

Question 11

What is the innermost layer of the posterior longitudinal ligament called?

Answer 11

the perivertebral ligament

Question 12

What innervates the posterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 12

the posterior neural plexus formed by fibers from the recurrent meningeal nerve/sinus vertebral nerve/sinu-vertebral nerve

Question 13

What is the function of the posterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 13

it brakes or limits flexion of the vertebral column

Question 14

Where is ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament most commonly identified?

Answer 14

the cervical spine with an 80% incidence

Question 15

What is the clinical sign of posterior longitudinal ligament ossification in the cervical spine?

Answer 15

a loss of hand and finger dexterity

Question 16

What is the incidence of posterior longitudinal ligament ossification in the thoracic and lumbar spine?

Answer 16

• thoracic: about 10%

- lumbar: about 10%

Question 17

What is the clinical sign of posterior longitudinal ligament ossification in the lumbar spine?

Answer 17

faltering gait

Question 18

What is the gender, age, and ethnic bias associated with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 18

it is greater in males over 50 and has a higher incidence in the Japanese

Question 19

What is the acronym for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 19

OPLL

Question 20

At one time ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament was an example of what condition?

Answer 20

Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH)