ligaments of vertebral column

Anterior longitudinal ligament

Location

Function

Movement restriction

Location: covers anterior aspects of the vertebral body

Function : supports IVD in the anterolateral aspects

Movement restricted: extension

Posterior longitudinal ligament

Location

Function

Movement restricted

Location : posterior to vertebral bodies

Function : supports IVD posterolateral aspects

Movement restricted: flexion

Supraspinous ligament

Location

Function

Movement restricted

Location : on top of spinous process, from C7 to sacrum

Function : prevents separation of spinous process

Movement restricted: prevents hyperflexion (during flexion, becomes taunt)

Interspinous ligament

Location

Function

Movement restricted

Location : between spinous process of adjacent vertebrae

Function : stabilize spine, restricts seperation of spinous process

Movement restricted: excessive flexion + rotation

Inter-transverse ligament

Location

Function

Movement restricted

Location: between transverse processes

Function: contributes to segmental stability + provide proprioceptive feedback

Movement restricted: lateral flexion + rotation

Ligamentum flavaum

Location

Function

Movement restricted

Location: inner aspects of laminate of adjacent vertebrae Function

Function: maintain natural curvatures

Movement restricted: movements in opposite direction of their position

Facet joint capsular ligament

Location

Function

Movement restricted

Location: posterior to intervertebral joint

Function : provide mechanical stability

Movement restricted: flexion, extension, and rotation

Transverse ligament

Location

Function

Movement restricted

Location: behind dens, coming across from inner aspects of anterior arch of C1

Function : holds dens in place

Movement restricted : excessive movement

Alar ligament

Location

Function

Movement restricted

Location: attaches from tip of dens up to foramen magnum

Function: limit excessive axial movement

Movement restricted: excessive lateral flexion + rotation

Cruciate ligament

Location

Function

Movement restricted

Location : posterior to dens, C2

function : consists of transverse ligament + longitudinal ligament to make up cross shape, securing dens

Movement restricted: excessive movement