Anatomy - ligaments of head, neck and spine

What are two join capsules that also act as ligaments?

Atlanto-occipital and Atlanto-axial joins which resist motion in all directions

describe the position and function of the alar ligament

Attach from the side of the dens to the lateral margins of the foramen magnum. These are short strong bonds which resists axial rotation and flexion and lateral flexion. therefor stabilizes the head and the atlas on the axis.

Attachments and function of Anterior Longitudinal ligament

Attachment = C2 - Sacrum, attaches to anterior faces of vertebral bodies Function = binds vertebral bodies together, resists vertical separation of the anterior surfaces of the vertebral bodies

Attachments and function of Posterior Longitudinal ligament

Attachment = C2-sacrum, attaches to posterior surfaces of the vertebral bodies Function = Binds vertebral bodies together, resists separation of the posterior surfaces of the vertebral bodies

describe the position and function of the tectorial membrane

Attachments = C2 - anterior margin of formen magnum (continuation of posterior longitudinal ligament) function = causes multidirection stability (flexion/extension, lateral flexion, axial rotation).

attachments and function of the intertransverse ligament

Attachments = Transverse processes

describe the position and function of the anterior atlanto-occipital membrane

Attachments = anterior margin of the foramen magnum to the anterior arch of C1 Function = closes the space between the foramen magnum and the anterior arch of C1 thin curtain of connective tisue

attachments and function of the supraspinous ligament

Attachments = joins tips of spinous processes (ligamentum nuchae is continous superiorly), more developed in upper lumbar region (bigger spinous processes??) Function = may afford some resistance to separation of spinous processes

describe the position and function of the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane

Attachments = posterior margin of the foramen and occiput to the posterior arch of C1 Function = closes the space between the forament magnum and the posterior arch of C1 Thin curtain of connective tissue

Zygopophysial join capsules

Attachments = strong ligaments which support the zygopophysial joints by resisting flexion (particularly in the lumbar spine)

Annulus Fibrosus

Attachments = to ring apophysis (towards the outer margins of the superior and inferior surfaces of vertebral bodies) and the vertebral endplate. Function = resists motion between segments and binds vertebral bodies together

describe the position and function of the apical ligament of the dens

Slender ligament which runs from the tip of the dens to the occipital bone

attachments and function of the intraspinous ligament

attachments = between adjacent spinous processes and is more developed in the lumbar spine Function = debateable

Attachments and function of ligamentum flavum

attachments = extends from top of cervical to bottom of lumbar connecting adjacent laminae. function = provides smooth posterior lining to the vertebral canal and may resist excessive separation of the laminae

Ligaments of Anterior Column of vertebral column

1. Anterior Longitudinal Ligament 2. Posterior Longitudinal Ligament 3. Annulus fibrosus

List the ligaments of the upper cervical spine

1. transverse ligament 2. cruciform ligament 3. alar ligaments 4. apical ligament of the dens 5. posterior atlanto-occipital membrane 6. anterior altanto-occipital membrane 7. tectorial membrane

Ligaments of posterior elements

1.Ligamentum flavum 2. Intertransverse ligament 3. interspinous ligament 4. supraspinous ligament 5. zygopophysial join capsules

Describe position and function of transverse ligament

Extends between the lateral masses of the lateral masses of C1. It is a strong band which holds the dens against the anterior arch (facet for the dens). Fibrocartilage is found where the ligament articulates with the dens.

describe the position and function of the cruciform ligament

Formed by crossing with the transverse ligament. Has a superior band which runs from the transverse ligaments to the occiput and an inferior band which runs from the transverse ligament towards the body of C3. Function is unknown