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Ligaments
Ligaments and tendons are fibrous bands of connective tissue that attach
to bone. Ligaments connect two or more bones or cartilages (joints) together.
Tendons attach muscle to bone. They vary in size and are characteristically
elastic.
The system of ligaments in the vertebral column, combined with the tendons
and muscles provides a natural type of brace to help protect the
spine from injury. Ligaments keep a joint stable during rest and movement.
Further, ligaments help to prevent injury from hyper- extension and flexion
movements.
Table 1
| Ligament Name |
Description |
| Anterior Longitudinal Ligament (ALL)
A primary spine stabilizer
|
About one-inch wide, the ALL runs the entire
length of the spine from the base of the skull to the sacrum. It connects
the front (anterior) of the vertebral body to the front of the annulus
fibrosis. |
| Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (PLL)
A primary spine stabilizer
|
About one-inch wide, the PLL runs the entire
length of the spine from the base of the skull to sacrum. It connects
the back (posterior) of the vertebral body to the back of the annulus
fibrosis. |
| Supraspinous Ligament |
This ligament attaches the tip of each
spinous process to the other. |
| Interspinous Ligament |
This thin ligament attaches to another
ligament, called the ligamentum flavum that runs deep into the spinal
column. |
| Ligamentum Flavum
The strongest ligament
|
This yellow ligament is the strongest one.
It runs from the base of the skull to the pelvis, in front of and behind
the lamina, and protects the spinal cord and nerves. The ligamentum
flavum also surrounds the facet joint capsules. |
Muscles and Tendons
The muscular system of the spine is quite complex. The primary function
of the muscles is to support and stabilize the spine.
 |
Muscles of the Posterior Cervical and Upper Thoracic Spine
1 Semispinalis Capitus (head rotation/pulls backward)
2 Iliocostalis Cervicis (extends cervical vertebrae)
3 Longissimus Cervicus (extends cervical vertebrae)
4 Longissimus Capitus (head rotation/pulls backward)
5 Longissimus Thoracis (extension/lateral flexion vertebral column, rib rotation)
6 Iliocostalis Thoracis (extension/lateral flexion vertebral column, rib rotation)
7 Semispinalis Thoracis (extends/rotates vertebral column) |
Muscles, either individually or in groups, are supported by fascia.
Fascia is strong connective tissue. The tendon that attaches muscle to
bone is part of the fascia. The muscles in the vertebral column are called
flexors, rotators, or extensors. Some of the spinal muscles are described
in Tables 2, 3, and 4.
Table 2
| Muscle Name – Cervical
Region |
Description |
| Sternocleidomastoid |
Head movement (extension, rotation) Vertebral
column flexion
|
| Spinalis Cervicis/Spinalis Capitus |
Extends and rotates the head
|
| Iliocostalis Cervicis |
Extends cervical vertebrae
|
| Longissimus Cervicis |
Rotates the head and pulls backward
|
| Obliquus Capitus Superior |
Rotates and bends the head laterally |
Table 3
| Muscle Name – Thoracic
Region |
Description |
| Longissimus Thoracis |
Extension and lateral flexion of the vertebral
column, rib rotation
|
| Iliocostalis Thoracis |
Extension and lateral flexion of the vertebral
column, rib rotation
|
| Spinalis Thoracis |
Extends the vertebral column |
Table 4
| Muscle Name – Lumbar
Region |
Description |
| Psoas Major |
Flexes the thigh at the hip joint and the
vertebral column
|
| Quadratus Lumborum |
Lateral flexion of the vertebral column
|
| Multifidus |
Extension and rotation of the vertebral
column |
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