Supraspinous ligament
Encyclopedia
The supraspinal ligament (supraspinous ligament) is a strong fibrous cord, which connects together the apices of the spinous processes from the seventh cervical vertebra to the sacrum
; at the points of attachment to the tips of the spinous processes fibrocartilage
is developed in the ligament.
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 vertebræ; those more deeply seated pass between two or three vertebræ while the deepest connect the spinous processes of neighboring vertebræ.
Between the spinous processes it is continuous with the interspinal ligaments.
It is continued upward to the external occipital protuberance
and median nuchal line, as the ligamentum nuchæ.
Sacrum
In vertebrate anatomy the sacrum is a large, triangular bone at the base of the spine and at the upper and back part of the pelvic cavity, where it is inserted like a wedge between the two hip bones. Its upper part connects with the last lumbar vertebra, and bottom part with the coccyx...
; at the points of attachment to the tips of the spinous processes fibrocartilage
Fibrocartilage
White fibrocartilage consists of a mixture of white fibrous tissue and cartilaginous tissue in various proportions. It owes its flexibility and toughness to the former of these constituents, and its elasticity to the latter...
is developed in the ligament.
It is thicker and broader in the lumbar than in the thoracic region, and intimately blended, in both situations, with the neighboring fascia
Fascia
A fascia is a layer of fibrous tissue that permeates the human body. A fascia is a connective tissue that surrounds muscles, groups of muscles, blood vessels, and nerves, binding those structures together in much the same manner as plastic wrap can be used to hold the contents of sandwiches...
.
The most superficial fibers of this ligament extend over three or four vertebræ; those more deeply seated pass between two or three vertebræ while the deepest connect the spinous processes of neighboring vertebræ.
Between the spinous processes it is continuous with the interspinal ligaments.
It is continued upward to the external occipital protuberance
External occipital protuberance
Near the middle of the occipital squama is the external occipital protuberance, and extending lateralward from it on either side is the superior nuchal line, and above this the faintly marked highest nuchal line.It is less pronounced in females....
and median nuchal line, as the ligamentum nuchæ.
External links
- Picture at McGill UniversityMcGill UniversityMohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...