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Spinal ligaments

The bands that tie the vertebrae together along the front, inside the canal and along the back. What each one joins, which movement it limits, and how they continue up to the skull.

Updated 2026-10-024 sources

Depth:

Why it matters

Discs join the vertebral bodies, but the column also relies on ligaments: ligaments running its length contribute to its overall support and stability [1].

What it is

Neighbouring vertebrae are united by ligaments that run the length of the column along its front and back [1]. From front to back:

  1. The anterior longitudinal ligament runs down the front of the entire column, uniting the vertebral bodies [1].
  2. The posterior longitudinal ligament lies inside the canal, in front of the spinal cord, attached to the backs of the vertebral bodies [1].
  3. The ligamentum flavum lies behind the cord: short, paired ligaments that each join the laminae of neighbouring vertebrae [1].
  4. The interspinous ligaments are thin, short fibres connecting adjacent spinous processes [2].
  5. The supraspinous ligament interconnects the tips of the spinous processes of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae [1].
  6. In the neck it expands into the nuchal ligament, attached to the cervical spinous processes and running up to the midline base of the skull [1].

What it does

Each ligament limits a movement [1, 2]:

  • The anterior longitudinal ligament resists excess backward bending of the column [1].
  • The posterior longitudinal ligament and the ligamentum flavum both provide important support when bending forward [1].
  • The supraspinous ligament supports the column during forward bending [1].
  • The interspinous ligaments are part of the posterior ligamentous complex; they stabilise the spine and help to limit flexion [2].
  • The nuchal ligament tightens to limit forward bending of the head and neck [1].

How it works

The ligamentum flavum has large numbers of elastic fibres, which give it a yellowish colour and allow it to stretch and then pull back [1].

At the top of the column the posterior longitudinal ligament continues upward as the tectorial membrane, which runs behind the cruciform ligament to the clivus of the skull [3, 4].

When it does not behave

Extreme backward bending of the head and neck can stretch or tear the anterior longitudinal ligament, producing a painful whiplash injury [1].

The numbers

In a cadaver study of lumbar interspinous ligaments, the mean tensile strength was 162.33 N at L1/2[2], 85.67 N at L2/3[2] and 79 N at L3/4[2].

Common misconceptions

Misconception: The ligaments only stop the spine from bending too far forward.

The anterior longitudinal ligament resists excess backward bending; the ligaments behind the bodies support forward bending [1].

Check yourself

Which ligament is elastic and yellow?

The ligamentum flavum, which joins the laminae of neighbouring vertebrae [1].

What does the supraspinous ligament become in the neck?

The nuchal ligament [1].

Read next

References

  1. Betts JG, Young KA, Wise JA, Johnson E, Poe B, Kruse DH, et al.. 7.3 The Vertebral Column. Anatomy and Physiology 2e. OpenStax. 2022. https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/pages/7-3-the-vertebral-column
  2. Iwanaga J, Simonds E, Yilmaz E, Schumacher M, Patel M, Tubbs R. Anatomical and biomechanical study of the lumbar interspinous ligament. Asian Journal of Neurosurgery. 2019;14(04):1203-1206. doi:10.4103/ajns.ajns_87_19
  3. Offiah CE, Day E. The craniocervical junction: embryology, anatomy, biomechanics and imaging in blunt trauma. Insights into Imaging. 2016;8(1):29-47. doi:10.1007/s13244-016-0530-5
  4. Lee SH, Cho TH, Kwon HJ, Hong JE, Lee YH, Yang HM. An anatomical and radiological study of the tectorial membrane and its clinical implications. Scientific Reports. 2022;12(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-022-25213-2

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