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The ligamentum flavum is a yellow elastic fibrous tissue that extends between adjacent spinal vertebrae, helping to maintain posture and resist compressive forces on the spine. It forms two parallel and joined vertical lines within the vertebral canal and attaches to the laminae and articular process of the vertebrae. It also helps preserve the integrity of the posterior wall of the spinal canal and assists in returning the spine to a neutral position after spinal flexion.
The ligamentum flavum is a paired vertical ligament that extends between adjacent spinal vertebrae. Its name is Latin for “yellow ligament,” and this band of elastic fibrous tissue helps maintain posture when a person is sitting or standing. Located posterior to the bodies of the vertebrae but anterior to the spinous processes of the vertebrae, which are the bony prongs that slope down from the back of each vertebra, the ligament flava forms two parallel and joined vertical lines within the vertebral canal. These extend from C2, the second cervical vertebra, up to S1 of the sacrum, the stacked bone at the base of the spine in the pelvis.
On its upper end, each yellow ligament attaches to the lower part of the vertebra lamina above it. The laminae are the paired horizontal projections of bone that form two bridges spanning the space between the pedicles on either side of the vertebral body and the spinous process behind it. They extend from pedicles, each a bony process projecting backwards from either side of the body of the vertebra and angle towards the midline of the spine, merging in between. In doing so, they form an enlarged “V” that surrounds the posterior aspect of the spinal canal.
Extending downward a short distance from the upper lamina, the yellow ligament attaches its lower end to the upper surface of the underlying lamina. Along the outer aspect of the ligament, it joins the roots of the articular process, the paired bony protrusion found projecting from either side of each vertebra where the lamina meets the pedicle. The anterior aspect and internal aspect of the ligamentum flavum face the spinal canal, the closed vertical canal in which the vessels of the central nervous system pass through the spine. Its posterior aspect is flush with the spinous process behind it, with the paired lateral portions of the ligamentum flavum essentially joining in the middle to form the same “V” as the laminae seen from above.
Increasing in thickness as they descend from the cervical portion of the spine to the lumbar portion, the ligaments flava are dense with elastin fibers, built to resist compressive forces on the spine and maintain an upright posture. Additionally, this elasticity preserves the integrity of the posterior wall of the spinal canal so that the ligamentum flavum does not push forward in its segment of the spine when the spine is in extension. Finally, this connective tissue helps the spinal extension muscles return the spine to the neutral position after spinal flexion, the action of bending forward.
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