- Nuchal ligament
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Ligament: Nuchal ligament Posterior view of muscles connecting the upper extremity to the vertebral column. Nuchal ligament labeled in red at center. Seventh cervical vertebra. (Spinous process visible at bottom.) Latin ligamentum nuchae Gray's subject #72 290 From To Dorlands/Elsevier l_09/12492708 The paxwax or nuchal ligament (ligamentum nuchae in Latin) is a fibrous membrane, which, in the neck, represents the supraspinal ligaments of the lower vertebræ. As it is required for running, not all animals have a nuchal ligament.[1]
It extends from the external occipital protuberance and median nuchal line to the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra.
From its anterior border a fibrous lamina is given off, which is attached to the posterior tubercle of the atlas, and to the spinous processes of the cervical vertebrae, and forms a septum between the muscles on either side of the neck.
In humans it is merely the rudiment of an important elastic ligament,[dubious ] which, in some other animals, particularly ungulates, serves to sustain the weight of the head.
The Trapezius and Splenius capitis attach to the nuchal ligament.
The "paddywhack" is the nuchal ligament of sheep, cattle or the quadruped.
Additional images
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Occipital bone. Outer surface. (Nuchal lines are identified at left.)
External links
- ligamentum+nuchae at eMedicine Dictionary
References
This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.
Joints and ligaments of torso (TA A03.02–04, GA 3.299) Vertebral Of vertebral bodiesligamenta flava · supraspinous ligament (nuchal ligament) · interspinal ligament · intertransverse ligamentmedian: Cruciate ligament of atlas (Transverse ligament of atlas) · Alar ligament · Apical ligament of dens · Tectorial membrane of atlanto-axial joint
lateral: no ligaments
anterior atlantoaxial ligament · posterior atlantoaxial ligamentno ligamentsLumbosacralThorax Radiate ligament · Intra-articular ligamentno ligamentsno ligamentsPelvis Syndesmoses of pelvic girdleanterior sacroiliac ligament · posterior sacroiliac ligament · interosseous sacroiliac ligament
ligaments connecting the sacrum and ischium: sacrotuberous ligament · sacrospinous ligament
Greater sciatic foramen · Lesser sciatic foramenM: JNT
anat(h/c, u, t, l)/phys
noco(arth/defr/back/soft)/cong, sysi/epon, injr
proc, drug(M01C, M4)
Categories:- Ligament stubs
- Ligaments of the torso
- Vertebral column
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