Supraspinous ligament

The supraspinous ligament, also known as the supraspinal ligament, is a ligament found along the vertebral column.

Supraspinous ligament
Median sagittal section of two lumbar vertebræ and their ligaments.
Posterior view of muscles connecting the upper extremity to the vertebral column. Nuchal ligament labeled in red at center.
Details
From	Spinous process of C7
To	Sacrum
Identifiers
Latin	ligamentum supraspinale
TA	A03.2.01.005
FMA	13425
Anatomical terminology

Structure

The supraspinous ligament connects the tips of the spinous processes from the seventh cervical vertebra to the sacrum. Above the seventh cervical vertebra, the supraspinous ligament is continuous with the nuchal ligament.[1] ^:45

J: Supraspinous ligament

Between the spinous processes it is continuous with the interspinous ligaments.

It is thicker and broader in the lumbar than in the thoracic region, and intimately blended, in both situations, with the neighboring fascia.

The most superficial fibers of this ligament extend over three or four vertebrae; those more deeply seated pass between two or three vertebrae while the deepest connect the spinous processes of neighboring vertebrae.

Development

Function

The supraspinous ligament, along with the posterior longitudinal ligament, interspinous ligaments and ligamentum flavum, help to limit hyperflexion of the vertebral column.

See also

This article uses anatomical terminology.

References

1. Drake, Richard L.; Vogl, Wayne; Tibbitts, Adam W.M. Mitchell; illustrations by Richard; Richardson, Paul (2005). Gray's anatomy for students (Pbk. ed.). Philadelphia: Elsevier/Churchill Livingstone. ISBN 978-0-443-06612-2.