• Source: Anterior longitudinal ligament

The anterior longitudinal ligament is a ligament that extends across the anterior/ventral aspect of the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs the spine.
It may be partially cut to treat certain abnormal curvatures in the vertebral column, such as kyphosis.




Anatomy


The anterior longitudinal ligament extends superoinferiorly between the basiocciput of the skull and the anterior tubercle of the atlas (cervical certebra C1) superiorly, and the superior part of the sacrum inferiorly; inferiorly, it ends at the sacral promontory. It broadens inferiorly. Inferiorly, it becomes continuous with the anterior sacrococcygeal ligament. Superiorly, between the skull and atlas, the ligament is continuous laterally with the anterior atlantooccipital membrane.
The ligament is thick and slightly more narrow over the vertebral bodies and thinner but slightly wider over the intervertebral discs.
It tends to be narrower and thicker around thoracic vertebrae, and wider and thinner around cervical vertebrae and lumbar vertebrae.




= Structure

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The anterior longitudinal ligament adheres strongly to the periosteum of the vertebral bodies, but is less strongly connected with the intervertebral discs.
It has three layers: superficial, intermediate and deep. The superficial layer traverses 3 – 4 vertebrae, the intermediate layer covers 2 – 3 and the deep layer is only between individual vertebrae.




Clinical significance


The anterior longitudinal ligament may become calcified, causing back pain.




= Surgical release

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The anterior longitudinal ligament may be "released", or partially cut, between two adjacent vertebrae. This may be done to treat abnormal curvature in the vertebral column, such as kyphosis. Osteoporosis, some infections, and past back surgery may prevent this surgery.




Additional images



















See also


Intervertebral disc
Posterior longitudinal ligament




References






External links


Atlas image: back_bone25 at the University of Michigan Health System - "Vertebral Column, Dissection, Anterior & Posterior Views"
lesson7 at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University)
Diagram at spineuniverse.com

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Anterior longitudinal ligament
• Posterior longitudinal ligament
• Anterior longitudinal
• Anterior atlantooccipital membrane
• Ligament
• Cruciate ligament of atlas
• Anterior sacrococcygeal ligament
• Longitudinal ligament
• Anterior atlantoaxial ligament
• Anterior sacroiliac ligament