Joints and Ligaments

What are the 2 major types of joints between vertebrae?

• Symphyses (fibrocartilaginous joints) between vertebral bodies (intervertebral discs/ in between vertebral bodies)

• Synovial Joints between articular processes (between vertebral arches)

A typical vertebra has 6 joints with adjacent vertebrae:

• 4 synovial + 2 symphyses

Symphyses between vertebral discs characteristics?

• formed by a layer of hyaline cartilage + intervertebral discs

Intervertebral disc structure (what is it made of? )

• Anulus fibrosis (which surrounds a central nucleus pulposus) : concentric layer of collagen

• Nucleus pulposus: gelatinous + a shock absorber

What are the Synovial Joints between articular processes?

• joints between superior + inferior articular processes = zygapophysial joints (which is the name of the synovial joint)

• Cervical region: joints slope inferiorly from anterior to posterior (facilitates flexion + extension)

• Thoracic region: joints are vertical (limits flexion + extension BUT allows for vertical movements)

• Lumbar region: joints are curved + adjacent processes interlock (limits flexion + extension movements)

What are the other types of joints and where are they located?

• Occipitocervical joint – between skull (occipital condyle + C1 facets)

• Atlantoaxial joint – between C1 + C2

  • Apical Ligament (vertical)

  • Alar Ligament (angled)

  • Cruciate ligament (ascending, descending + transverse band)

Ligaments of the spine (from posterior to anterior) (5)

• Supraspinous ligament

• Interspinal ligament

• Ligamentum flavum

• Posterior longitudinal ligament

• Anterior longitudinal ligament

Where is ligamenta flava?

Passes between adjacent laminae of vertebrae

What is Ligamentum nuchae?

• triangular + in medial saggital plane

  • base of triangle = attached to the skull from external occipital protuberance tot he foramen magnum

  • Apex of triangle = attached to the tip of C7 Spinous process

What is supraspinous ligament?

• connects and passes along the tips of C7 Spinous process to the sacrum

What is intertransverse ligament?

• connects adjacent transverse processes

What is interspinous ligaments?

• ligaments that pass between adjacent vertebral spinous processes

What movement does each muscle limit?

• Supraspinous ligament: flexion

• Interspinous ligament: flexion + lateral flexion

• ligamenta flava: flexion + lateral flexion

• posterior long. ligament: nothing

• Anterior long. ligament: extension

• Intertransverse ligament: lateral flexion

rotation = facet joint shapes + joint capsules