The ligaments of the spine stabilize it in addition to the back muscles. They form a tight mesh between the individual vertebrae and sections and thus provide the necessary stability. Depending on their position, they have different tasks.
Some of them limit the movements, others are more likely to maintain a straight posture. In order to understand the anatomy of the ligaments of the spinal column, one must consider how the spinal column is structured. It consists of different sections for the neck, chest and lumbar region.
However, almost every vertebra is constructed according to the same principle. It has a large vertebral body that carries the load. To the rear follows the vertebral arch, from which various extensions branch off.
Usually, one of the extensions goes off directly in the middle to the back. It is also called spinous process. Two further processes are located on the sides, they are also called transverse processes. In order to connect the vertebral bodies with each other, there are the so-called Processus articularis, which function as small joints. If you look at this general structure of the spinal column, you will better understand the anatomy of the ligaments of the spinal column.
The different ligaments of the spine
Most of the ligaments of the spine are named after their anatomical course. There are two large longitudinal ligaments on the spinal column, which extend over the entire spinal column. One runs along the front of the vertebral body and is therefore called the Ligamentum longitudinale anterius, and one runs along the back and is accordingly called the Ligamentum longitudinale posterius.
These two ligaments stabilize and limit the anterior and posterior movement of the spinal column. The Ligamentum supraspinale connects the individual spinous processes of the spinal column. It also limits forward flexion.
In addition, there are ligaments that are stretched between the spinous processes. They do not lie on the spinous process like the Ligamentum supraspinale, but between the spinous processes. They also limit forward flexion, but at the same time prevent the vertebral bodies from shifting against each other.
The Ligamenta flava are yellowish, elastic ligaments that connect the vertebral arches. There are also ligaments between the transverse processes of the vertebral bodies. These are called Ligamenta intertransversaria.
They prevent excessive lateral inclination and excessive rotation of the spinal column. Depending on the point of view, the ligaments of the spinal column may also include those that form a connection between the spinal column and the ribs. They are called ligamenta costotransversaria. Most ligaments are thus named after their course.
