Supraspinous Ligament

Description

Diagram depicting a midline sagittal cut of vertebrae with intact ligamentous structures. Ligaments of interest are outlined. The ligamentum flavum (red) forms the posterior wall of the vertebral column with the laminae. Just posterior, the interspinous ligament (blue) spans between adjacent spinous processes, while the supraspinous ligament (yellow) traverses over the most superior aspect of the spinous processes longitudinally

Name

• Supraspinous Ligament
• Ligamentum Supraspinale
• Supraspinal Ligament
• Posterior Spinal Ligament
• Dorsal Spinous Ligament

General

• Strong fibrous ligament running along the tips of the spinous processes
• Connects the tips of the spinous processes from vertebra C7 to the sacrum
• Continuous superiorly with the nuchal ligament of the cervical region
• Forms part of the Posterior Ligamentous Complex (PLC)
• Most prominent and well-developed in the thoracic and lumbar spine

Function

• Prevents separation of spinous processes during flexion and resists hyperflexion
• Acts as a midline stabilizing structure, linking adjacent vertebrae
• Prevents separation of spinous processes during flexion and resists hyperflexion

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Clinical Significance

• Posterior Ligamentous Complex Injury

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See Also

• Back Pain Main
• Physical Exam Back
• Back Anatomy Main

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