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Interspinous ligament

Ligaments connecting the skull to the vertebrae.

The interspinous ligaments are thin, short ligaments that connect adjoining spinous processes.

They extend from the root to the apex of each spinous process and merge with the ligamenta flava anteriorly and the supraspinous ligaments posteriorly.

Interspinous ligaments are only slightly developed in the cervical region and may be considered part of the nuchal ligament. In the thoracic region, they are narrow and elongated, in contrast to the lumbar region where they are broader, thicker, and somewhat quadrilateral in form.

The interspinous ligaments act as stabilizers of the spine and function to limit flexion of the spine by restricting separation of the spinous processes.

Terminology English: Interspinous ligament
Synonyms: Interspinous ligaments, Interspinal ligament, Interspinal ligaments

Latin
: Ligamentum interspinale
Definition The interspinous ligaments are thin short, ligaments that connect adjoining spinous processes.
Function Spine stabilizer; limits flexion of the spine

Want to learn more about the main and accessory ligaments that support the joints between the vertebrae? Then dive straight into the following study unit:

Interspinous ligament: want to learn more about it?

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