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Supraspinous ligament

Ligament of the spine

Field	Value
Name	Supraspinous ligament
Latin	ligamentum supraspinale
Image	Gray301.png
Caption	Median sagittal section of two lumbar vertebræ and their ligaments.
Image2	Nuchal_ligament.PNG
Caption2	Posterior view of muscles connecting the upper extremity to the vertebral column. Nuchal ligament labeled in red at center.
From	Spinous process of C7
To	Sacrum

The supraspinous ligament (also known as the supraspinal ligament) is a ligament extending across the tips of the spinous processes of the vertebra of the vertebral column.

Anatomy

The supraspinous ligament connects the tips of the spinous processes from the seventh cervical vertebra to the sacrum. Superior to the 7th cervical vertebra, the supraspinous ligament is continuous with the nuchal ligament. It is thicker and broader in the lumbar region than in the thoracic region, and intimately blended with the neighboring fascia in both these regions.**** Inferior to L4, the supraspinous ligament becomes indistinct, lost amid the prominent lumbar fascia.****

Between the spinous processes, the supraspinous ligament is continuous with the interspinous ligaments.****

Structure

The most superficial fibers of this ligament extend across 3-4 vertebrae, deeper fibres extend across 2-3 vertebrae, while the deepest connect the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae.****

Function

The supraspinous ligament becomes taut when the spine is fully flexed.**** The supraspinous ligament, along with the posterior longitudinal ligament, interspinous ligaments and ligamentum flavum, help to limit hyperflexion of the vertebral column.

Clinical significance

Lesions to the supraspinous ligament may result in palpable thickening. Ultrasound is effective for detecting lesions. A strain injury can also damage the supraspinous ligament.

The supraspinous ligament creates resistance during midline epidural anaesthetics when the needle is being inserted. This increased resistance needs to be taken into account, and is one of the first subcutaneous tissues.

References

Salinas, Francis. (2005-01-01). "Chapter 68 - Spinal Anesthesia". Churchill Livingstone.
Drake, Richard L.. (2005). "Gray's anatomy for students". Elsevier/Churchill Livingstone.
Gray, Henry. (1918). "Gray's Anatomy".
Sinnatamby, Chummy. (2011). "Last's Anatomy". Elsevier Australia.
(2011-01-01). "Chapter 52 - Thoracolumbar Spine". W.B. Saunders.
(2012-01-01). "Back Pain (Thoracolumbar Dysfunction)". W.B. Saunders.
Weaver, Martin P.. (2012-01-01). "Chapter 18 - Orthopaedics 4. The back and pelvis". W.B. Saunders.
(2010-01-01). "Chapter 5 - Epidural Blocks". W.B. Saunders.

Info: Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

ligaments-of-the-torso bones-of-the-vertebral-column ligaments

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