Supraspinous ligament

Infobox Ligament
Name = Supraspinous ligament
Latin = ligamentum supraspinale
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Caption = Median sagittal section of two lumbar vertebræ and their ligaments.


Caption2 = Posterior view of muscles connecting the upper extremity to the vertebral column. Nuchal ligament labeled in red at center.
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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.

External links

* [http://sprojects.mmi.mcgill.ca/lumbar/My%20Project/Anatomy/anatomy.htm Picture] at McGill University