Posterior Longitudinal Ligament Flashcards Preview

Spinal Anatomy I - Exam 3 > Posterior Longitudinal Ligament > Flashcards

Flashcards in Posterior Longitudinal Ligament Deck (20)
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1
Q

What is the classification of the posterior longitudinal ligament-vertebral body joint?

A

fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis

2
Q

What vertebral levels will the posterior longitudinal ligament attach to?

A

those between C2 and S3 inclusive

3
Q

What are the specific bony attachment sites for the posterior longitudinal ligament?

A
  • the posterior inferior epiphyseal rim of vertebral body C2
  • the posterior superior epiphyseal rim and posterior inferior epiphyseal rim of each vertebral body C3-S2
  • the posterior superior epiphyseal rim of the S3 vertebral body
4
Q

What will the posterior longitudinal ligament attach to in addition to vertebral bodies?

A

the intervertebral disc

5
Q

Newer research suggests what regional variation in the posterior longitudinal ligament?

A

prominent in the cervicals, occasional in the thoracics, rare in the lumbars

6
Q

What is the relationship of the posterior longitudinal ligament to the vertebral foramen?

A

if forms the anterior boundary of the spinal canal

7
Q

What is the extent of the posterior longitudinal ligament attachment laterally?

A

it is not firmly attached to the intervertebral disc, making the area susceptible to herniation or protrusion

8
Q

What is the appearance of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the cervical spine?

A

it is parallel along its lateral margins

9
Q

What is the appearance of the posterior longitudinal ligament along the thoracic spine?

A
  • it is parallel along its lateral margins in the upper thoracic spine
  • hourglass shaped in the lower thoracic spine
10
Q

What is the appearance of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the lumbar spine?

A

it is hourglass shaped along its lateral margins

11
Q

What is the innermost layer of the posterior longitudinal ligament called?

A

the perivertebral ligament

12
Q

What innervates the posterior longitudinal ligament?

A

the posterior neural plexus formed by fibers from the recurrent meningeal nerve/sinus vertebral nerve/sinu-vertebral nerve

13
Q

What is the function of the posterior longitudinal ligament?

A

it brakes or limits flexion of the vertebral column

14
Q

Where is ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament most commonly identified?

A

the cervical spine with an 80% incidence

15
Q

What is the clinical sign of posterior longitudinal ligament ossification in the cervical spine?

A

a loss of hand and finger dexterity

16
Q

What is the incidence of posterior longitudinal ligament ossification in the thoracic and lumbar spine?

A
  • thoracic: about 10%

- lumbar: about 10%

17
Q

What is the clinical sign of posterior longitudinal ligament ossification in the lumbar spine?

A

faltering gait

18
Q

What is the gender, age, and ethnic bias associated with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament?

A

it is greater in males over 50 and has a higher incidence in the Japanese

19
Q

What is the acronym for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament?

A

OPLL

20
Q

At one time ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament was an example of what condition?

A

Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH)

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