JOINTS AND LIGAMENTS ANATOMY TABLES Upper Limb Lower Limb Head and Neck Thorax Abdomen Pelvis

and Perineum Back

JOINTS AND LIGAMENTS OF THE UPPER LIMB - LISTED ALPHABETICALLY

Joint or ligament Description Notes A plane synovial joint; the shape of the articulation encourages the acromion to slide inferior to the clavicle during dislocation (shoulder separation) a condition that occurs when the coracoclavicular ligament is torn; a small articular disk occurs within this joint capsule It forms 4/5 of a circle - the radial notch of the ulna forms the other 1/5; it attaches to the margins of the

The joint between the distal end of the Acromioclavicular joint clavicle and the acromion of the scapula

Annular ligament

The ligament that encircles the head of

the radius

radial notch; it holds the head of the radius against the ulna and cups in distal to the head to provide restraint against distal dislocation of the radius (Latin, anulus = a ring) A synovial plane joint; limited motion is permitted at the carpometacarpal joint; the carpometacarpal joint is reinforced by dorsal and palmar ligaments A synovial saddle (sellar) joint; this articulation permits two planes of motion: flexion/extension and abduction/adduction which may be combined to produce circumduction

The articulation between the distal Carpometacarpal joint, carpal bones and the proximal ends of finger the metacarpal bones of the hand The articulation between the Carpometacarpal joint, trapezium and the proximal end of the thumb metacarpal bone of the thumb

Coracoacromial ligament

It passes superior to both the head of the humerus The ligament that connects the and the supraspinatus tendon; it provides support for coracoid process to the acromion of the the head of the humerus that prevents superior scapula dislocation (Greak, akron = tip) The joint between the coracoid process A syndesmosis; this joint provides stability to the

Coracoclavicular joint

of the scapula and the inferior surface of the lateral portion of the clavicle

acromioclavicular joint

Coracoclavicular ligament

The ligament that connects the upper surface of the coracoid process to the under surface of the clavicle

It has two parts: conoid ligament (posteromedial part) and trapezoid ligament; tearing of the coracoclavicular ligament permits the acromion to move inferior to the distal end of the clavicle (shoulder separation), a condition which could result from a fall on the point of the shoulder

Costoclavicular ligament

It resists superior displacement of the proximal end of the clavicle; the combined effect of this ligament, A ligament that attaches the clavicle to the sternoclavicular ligament and the interclavicular the first rib ligament is to produce a very strong sternoclavicular joint that seldom dislocates The joint between the distal humerus and the proximal radius and ulna A synovial hinge joint; the elbow joint is a complex joint consisting of humeroradial, humeroulnar and proximal radioulnar articulations all within a common articular capsule; it is strengthened by the

Elbow joint

ulnar and radial collateral ligaments Glenohumeral ligament, inferior A ligament reinforcing the anterior It connects the humerus to the scapula; a thickening wall of the capsule of the glenohumeral of the anteroinferior shoulder joint capsule joint A ligament reinforcing the anterior It connects the humerus to the scapula; a thickening wall of the capsule of the glenohumeral of the anterior shoulder joint capsule joint A ligament reinforcing the anterior It connects the humerus to the scapula; a thickening wall of the capsule of the glenohumeral of the anterosuperior shoulder joint capsule joint A series of short ligaments that connect Intercarpal ligaments reinforce the articular capsule adjacent carpal bones on their dorsal of the intercarpal joints; they prevent excessive aspects movement of these synovial plane joints A series of short ligaments that connect Intercarpal ligaments reinforce the articular capsule adjacent carpal bones on their ventral of the intercarpal joints; they prevent excessive

Glenohumeral ligament, middle

Glenohumeral ligament, superior

Intercarpal ligaments, dorsal Intercarpal ligaments, palmar

aspects

movement of these synovial plane joints It spans the superior surface of the sternoclavicular joint and manubrium of the sternum; the combined effect of this ligament, the sternoclavicular ligament and the costoclavicular ligament is to produce a very strong sternoclavicular joint that seldom dislocates A synovial plane joint; limited motion is possible between at the carpometacarpal joints or between adjacent metacarpal bones A syndesmosis; its fibers are oriented obliquely downward from the radius toward the ulna; the interosseous membrane is the classic example of a syndesmosis; proximally directed forces from the hand pass through the radius and are transferred to the ulna through the interosseous membrane; marked proximally by the oblique cord

Interclavicular ligament

A ligament that reinforces the capsule of the sternoclavicular joint

Intermetacarpal joint

The articulation between the adjacent sides of the proximal ends of metacarpal bones 2-5

Interosseous membrane, forearm

A fibrous membrane that connects the interosseous borders located on the shafts of the radius and the ulna

Interphalangeal joints

The articulations between the proximal and middle phalanges (proximal interphalangeal joint, abbreviated PIP) A synovial hinge joint; these joints are strengthened or the middle and distal phalanges by medial and lateral collateral ligaments (distal interphalangeal joint, abbreviated DIP) A synovial condyloid (or ellipsoid) joint; it is strengthened by medial and lateral collateral ligaments; the joint has two planes of motion: flexion/extension and abduction/adduction which may be combined to yield circumduction A series of synovial plane joints; small ranges of motion are permitted between carpal bones which take on an additive effect because there are several articulations in a proximodistal row (wrist, midcarpal and carpometacarpal joints); the midcarpal and intercarpal joints are reinforced by numerous ligaments

Metacarpophalangeal joint

The articulation between the head of a metacarpal and the base of a proximal phalanx

Midcarpal joint

The joint which connects the proximal and distal rows of carpal bones

Oblique cord

A thickening of connective tissue fibers It connects the proximal end of the shaft of the radius at the proximal end of the interosseous to the proximal end of the shaft of the ulna membrane It connects the lateral epicondyle of the humerus with the radius and the annular ligament; it reinforces the lateral side of the elbow articular capsule; it is smaller and less distinct than the ulnar collateral ligament It reinforces the articular capsule on the lateral side of the wrist Characterized by an intracapsular articular disk; radius articulates with the proximal row of carpals A synovial pivot joint; this joint has a fibrocartilaginous articular disk that attaches to the styloid process of the ulna and the medial side of the distal radius

Radial collateral ligament, elbow

A ligament spanning the lateral side of the elbow joint

Radial collateral ligament, wrist Radiocarpal (wrist) joint

It connects the styloid process of the radius with the scaphoid and trapezium Synovial, ellipsoidal

The articulation between the head of Radioulnar joint, distal the ulna and the ulnar notch of the radius

Radioulnar joint, intermediate

The articulation formed by the interosseous membrane

A syndesmosis; it connects the interosseous border of the ulna to the interosseous border of the radius; proximally directed forces from the hand pass through the radius and are transferred to the ulna through the interosseous membrane

Radioulnar joint, proximal

The proximal articulation between the A synovial pivot joint; it is the articulation between radius and ulna that is contained the head of the radius and the radial notch of the ulna within the capsule of the elbow joint which is completed by the annular ligament A synovial ball and socket joint; the glenoid labrum deepens the socket; glenohumeral ligaments reinforce the joint capsule anteriorly; the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii m. Passes through the shoulder joint cavity; the shoulder joint is supported by the muscles of the rotator cuff group (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis); also known as the glenohumeral joint; it is frequently dislocated

Shoulder joint

The articulation between the head of the humerus and the glenoid fossa of the scapula

Sternoclavicular joint

The joint what connects the clavicle with the sternum

A synovial joint; its joint capsule is subdivided by a fibrous articular disc; it is strengthened by the sternoclavicular, interclavicular and costoclavicular ligaments; the sternoclavicular joint has the range of movement, but not the form, of a ball and socket joint The sternoclavicular ligament has two parts: anterior and posterior; it is a very strong ligament; the combined effect of this ligament, the costoclavicular ligament and the interclavicular ligament is to produce a very strong sternoclavicular joint that seldom dislocates It connects the greater tubercle of the humerus to the lesser tubercle of the humerus and acts to retain the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii m. In the intertubercular sulcus Limited motion is permitted between the distal ends of adjacent metacarpal bones due to the presence of the deep transverse metacarpal ligaments; the

Sternoclavicular ligament

A ligament that reinforces the capsule of the sternoclavicular joint

Transverse humeral ligament

The ligament that spans the intertubercular sulcus of the humerus

Transverse metacarpal A ligament that connects the ligament, deep metacarpophalangeal joints 2-5 on

their palmar surface

metacarpal bones are bound together to form a solid foundation for finger movements It converts the suprascapular notch into a foramen; the suprascapular a. Passes superior to the ligament and the suprascapular n. Passes inferior to the ligament (Army over the bridge, Navy under the bridge)

Transverse scapular ligament, superior

A ligament that spans the suprascapular notch of the scapula

Ulnar collateral ligament, elbow Ulnar collateral ligament, wrist

It connects the medial epicondyle of the humerus A strong ligament spanning the medial with the ulna; it reinforces the medial side of the side of the elbow joint elbow articular capsule (Latin, ulna = elbow) It connects the styloid process of the ulna to the pisiform and triquetrum It reinforces the articular capsule on the medial side of the wrist (Latin, ulna = elbow)

Wrist joint

The articulation between the distal end A synovial ellipsoid joint; two primary degrees of motion are permitted: abduction/adduction and of the radius and the proximal row of flexion/extension - these motions are combined to carpal bones produce circumduction; the radius actually

articulates with the articular disk which in turn articulates with the proximal row of carpal bones (scaphoid, lunate and triquetrum) Back to TOC

JOINTS AND LIGAMENTS OF THE LOWER LIMB - LISTED ALPHABETICALLY

Joint or ligament Description A fibrocartilage rim around the acetabulum Notes The acetabular labrum deepens the acetabulum; it cups around the head of the femur and holds it firmly in the acetabulum (Latin, acetabulum = a shallow vessel or cup) A synovial hinge joint; the ankle is reinforced by the deltoid ligament (anterior tibiotalar, tibionavicular, tibiocalcaneal, posterior tibiotalar parts), the anterior talofibular lig., the calcaneofibular lig. And the posterior talofibular lig.; because of the shape of the talus, the ankle is most stable when the foot is dorsiflexed; the ankle is often injured when the foot is plantar flexed An intracapsular ligament located within the fibrous joint capsule of the knee but external to the synovial cavity of the knee; the anterior cruciate ligament limits the anterior movement of the tibia relative to the femur in all positions of joint movement; clipping-type injuries tear the anterior cruciate ligament because the leg is forced

Acetabular labrum

Ankle joint

The articulation between the distal tibia, the medial malleolus of the tibia, the lateral malleolus of the fibula and the talus

Anterior cruciate ligament

A ligament connecting the anterior aspect of the intercondylar eminence of the tibia with the medial surface of the lateral femoral condyle

anteriorly relative to the femur which places great stress on the anterior cruciate ligament (Latin, crus = leg) Anterior talofibular ligament A ligament that connects the lateral malleolus of the fibula with the It is a ligament that reinforces the ankle joint anterolateral surface of the talus The ligament that connects the This ligament reinforces the tibiofibular syndesmosis (at distal ends of the tibia and the fibula the distal ends of these bones) anteriorly Part of the deltoid ligament connecting the medial malleolus of the tibia with the talus

Anterior tibiofibular ligament

Anterior tibiotalar ligament

It is a ligament that reinforces the ankle joint

Calcaneofibular ligament Deltoid ligament

A ligament that connects the lateral malleolus of the fibula with the It is a ligament that reinforces the ankle joint calcaneus The ligament that connects the The deltoid ligament reinforces the ankle joint; it has the

medial malleolus of the tibia with the talus, navicular and calcaneus

shape of the Greek letter delta, hence its name; it has four parts (from anterior to posterior): anterior tibiotalar lig., tibionavicular lig., tibiocalcaneal lig., posterior tibiotalar lig.

Fibular collateral ligament

The collateral ligament of the knee An extracapsular ligament, not part of the fibrous capsule that connects the lateral epicondyle of the knee; the fibular collateral ligament passes of the femur with the head of the superficial to the tendon of origin of the popliteus m. fibula A synovial ball and socket joint; it is reinforced by capsular ligaments (iliofemoral, pubofemoral, ischiofemoral, zona orbicularis); the fibers of the articular capsule become taut on hip extension and lax on hip flexion; dislocation injuries of the hip are most common when the hip is flexed (sitting in a car seat during an impact that causes the knees to strike the dash board, for example) The iliofemoral ligament is shaped like an inverted "Y"; it connects the anterior inferior iliac spine to the anterior

Hip joint

The articulation between the os coxae and the head of the femur

Iliofemoral ligament

The ligament reinforcing the anterior surface of the articular

capsule of the hip joint

surface of the intertrochanteric line of the femur; also known as: ligament of Bigelow Synovial membrane, the deep infrapatellar bursa reduces friction between the patellar ligament and the tibia

Infrapatellar bursa, deep Infrapatellar bursa, superficial

The bursa lying between the patellar ligament and the tibia

A subcutaneous bursa overlying the Synovial membrane patellar ligament They connect adjacent tarsal bones; they are named for Ligaments that reinforce intertarsal the two bones that they connect and whether they are located on the dorsal or plantar surface of those bones (gliding) synovial joints (Latin, inter = between + os = bone) The membrane that connects the interosseous borders of the shafts of A syndesmosis (Latin, inter = between + os = bone) the tibia and fibula A synovial hinge joint; these joints are strengthened by medial and lateral collateral ligaments

Interosseous ligaments of the foot

Interosseous membrane of the leg

Interphalangeal joints The articulations between the proximal and middle phalanges

(proximal interphalangeal joint, abbreviated PIP) or the middle and distal phalanges (distal interphalangeal joint, abbreviated DIP) Ischiofemoral ligament The ligament reinforcing the posterior surface of the articular capsule of the hip joint The ischiofemoral ligament connects the body of the ischium to the posterior portion of the femoral neck (Latin/Greek, ischion = hip joint) A synovial hinge joint; it is reinforced by intracapsular ligaments (anterior & posterior cruciate ligaments) and two types of collateral ligaments (capsular - tibial collateral ligament, and extracapsular - fibular collateral ligament); the medial and lateral menisci are contained within the joint capsule Fibrocartilage; it is attached to the coronary ligament and the intercondylar eminence of the tibia

Knee joint

The articulation between the femoral condyles and the tibial condyles

Lateral meniscus

An intra-articular disc within the knee joint located between the lateral femoral condyle and the

lateral tibial condyle The ligament of the head of the femur contains a small artery (the a. Of the ligament of the head of the femur) which supplies the femoral head; in fractures of the neck of the femur the retinacular aa. That course along the neck may be damaged, so that the artery to the head may be the only blood supply to the head and proximal neck

Ligament of the head of the femur

An intracapsular ligament that attaches to the fovea of the head of the femur and to the acetabular fossa

A ligament that connects the plantar A ligament that reinforces a complex set of intertarsal surface of the calcaneus, cuboid and (gliding) synovial joints; the long plantar ligament Long plantar ligament the bases of the lateral 3 metatarsal supports the longitudinal arch of the foot bones The arch that passes from the calcaneus to the talus to the navicular to the cuneiforms to the metatarsal A series of plane synovial joints; the longitudinal arch of the foot is formed by the shapes of the metatarsal bones and is supported by the plantar calcaneonavicular (spring) ligament and many other small interosseous ligaments; the tendons of the tibialis anterior and tibialis posterior mm. Also play a supporting role in maintaining

Longitudinal arch of the foot

the longitudinal arch of the foot An intra-articular disc within the knee joint located between the medial femoral condyle and the medial tibial condyle Fibrocartilage; it is attached to the tibial collateral ligament, coronary ligament and intercondylar eminence of the tibia; its attachment fo the tibial collateral ligament results in injury to the medial meniscus whenever the medial collateral ligament is injured A synovial condyloid (or ellipsoid) joint; it is strengthened by medial and lateral collateral ligaments; the joint has two planes of motion: flexion/extension and abduction/adduction which may be combined to yield circumduction The quadriceps femoris tendon connects the quadriceps femoris muscle group to the patella and the patellar ligament connects the patella to the tibial tuberosity; the patella is a sesamoid bone within the quadriceps femoris tendon

Medial meniscus

Metatarsophalangeal joint

The articulation between the head of a metatarsal and the base of a proximal phalanx

Patellar ligament

The tendon of insertion of the quadriceps femoris muscle

Plantar calcaneocuboid ligament Plantar calcaneonavicular ligament

A ligament that connects the calcaneus with the cuboid on their plantar surfaces A ligament that connects the sustentaculum tali with the plantar surface of the navicular bone

A ligament that reinforces a complex set of intertarsal (gliding) synovial joints; it supports the longitudinal arch of the foot; also known as: short plantar ligament A ligament that reinforces a complex set of intertarsal (gliding) synovial joints; it supports the longitudinal arch of the foot; also known as: spring ligament

Posterior cruciate ligament

An intracapsular ligament located within the fibrous joint A ligament connecting the posterior capsule of the knee but external to the synovial cavity of aspect of the intercondylar the knee; the posterior cruciate ligament limits the eminence with the lateral surface of posterior movement of the tibia relative to the femur in the medial femoral condyle all positions of joint movement An intracapsular ligament that connects the posterior part of the lateral meniscus with the lateral surface of the medial femoral condyle

Posterior meniscofemoral ligament

May be absent

Posterior talofibular ligament

A ligament that connects the lateral malleolus of the fibula with the It is a ligament that reinforces the ankle joint posterolateral surface of the talus The ligament that connects the This ligament reinforces the tibiofibular syndesmosis (at distal ends of the tibia and the fibula the distal ends of these bones) posteriorly Part of the deltoid ligament connecting the medial malleolus of the tibia with the talus posteriorly

Posterior tibiofibular ligament

Posterior tibiotalar ligament

It is a ligament that reinforces the ankle joint

Prepatellar bursa

Synovial membrane; inflammation of this bursa leads to the condition known as "housemaid's knee" (prepatellar A subcutaneous bursa overlying the bursitis), so named because housemaids at one time patella traumatized this bursa while scrubbing floors on their hands and knees

Pubofemoral ligament The ligament reinforcing the medial The pubofemoral ligament connects the pubic portion of surface of the articular capsule of the rim of the bony acetabulum to the medial surface of

the hip joint The superior extension of the synovial membrane of the knee joint

the femoral neck It passes deep to the quadriceps femoris tendon; the suprapatellar bursa reduces friction between the quadriceps femoris tendon and the femur

Suprapatellar bursa

The articulations between the distal Gliding synovial joints; they are reinforced by dorsal and row of tarsal bones and the plantar ligaments which limit the motion between Tarsometatarsal joints proximal ends of the metatarsal adjacent bones bones The collateral ligament of the knee joint connecting the medial epicondyle of the femur with the medial surface of the medial condyle of the tibia The tibial collateral ligament reinforces the medial surface of the articular capsule of the knee; it is attached to the medial meniscus which has clinical relevance when the tibial collateral ligament tears in a clipping-type injury (knee abduction), the medial meniscus also tears

Tibial collateral ligament

Tibiocalcaneal ligament

Part of the deltoid ligament connecting the medial malleolus of It is a ligament that reinforces the ankle joint the tibia with the sustentaculum tali

Tibionavicular ligament

Part of the deltoid ligament connecting the medial malleolus of the tibia with the navicular

It is a ligament that reinforces the ankle joint

The acetabular branch of the obturator artery enters the The ligament that spans the hip joint by passing beneath the transverse acetabular Transverse acetabular acetabular notch near the rim of the ligament; the artery of the ligament of the head of the ligament femur is a branch of the acetabular a. (Latin, acetabulum acetabulum = a shallow vessel or cup) A series of plane synovial joints; the transverse arch of the foot is supported by the shape of the tarsal bones, many small interosseous ligaments and the tendons of the fibularis longus m., tibialis anterior m. And tibialis posterior m. The zona orbicularis fibers tend to constrict the fibrous joint capsule around the neck of the femur, helping to hold the head of the femur in the acetabulum

Transverse arch of the The arch that passes through the foot distal row of tarsal bones

Zona orbicularis

Circularly oriented ligamentous fibers that reinforce the capsule of the hip joint

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JOINTS AND LIGAMENTS OF THE HEAD AND NECK - LISTED ALPHABETICALLY

Joint or ligament Coronal suture Description The articulation between the frontal bone and the two parietal bones A suture Notes

Intermaxillary suture

A suture; it is a midline feature of the hard palate and The articulation between the palatine marks the line of fusion of the two palatine shelves processes of the right and left maxillae (secondary palate) during development The articulation between the occipital A suture bone and the parietal bone A suture; a midline structure, it usually disappears The articulation between the two during development but is occasionally present in ossification centers of the frontal bone adults The articulation between four bones: A suture; this is a site of relatively thin bone that is the greater wing of the sphenoid bone, frequently fractured in blows to the side of the head; the frontal bone, the parietal bone, the the middle meningeal a. Is located deep to this site and

Lambdoidal suture

Metopic suture

Pterion

squamous part of the temporal bone

may be injured in skull fractures at this location, leading to epidural hematoma A suture; it is a midline structure that lies superficial to the superior sagittal venous sinus

Sagittal suture

The articulation between the two parietal bones

Sphenomandibular ligament

The ligament that attaches to the spine Paired; it is a specialization of the pterygoid fascia and of the sphenoid bone superiorly and is a remnant of the mesenchymal core of the first the lingula of the mandible inferiorly pharyngeal arch (Meckel's cartilage) The articulation between the parietal A suture; the greater wing of the sphenoid bone bone and the squamous portion of the participates in the formation of the anterior end of the temporal bone squamosal suture The ligament that connects the styloid A syndesmosis; paired; a remnant of the mesenchymal process with the lesser horn of the core of the second pharyngeal arch (Reichert's hyoid bone cartilage) The ligament that connects the styloid Paired; a thickening of the parotid fascia process with the angle of the mandible

Squamosal suture

Stylohyoid ligament

Stylomandibular ligament

Temporomandibular joint

The articulation between the head of the condylar process of the mandible and the mandibular fossa of the temporal bone

A synovial hinge joint; it is separated into two joint spaces by an intracapsular fibrous articular disc; gliding action occurs superior to the articular disc and hinge action occurs inferior to the disc

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JOINTS AND LIGAMENTS OF THE THORAX - LISTED ALPHABETICALLY

Joint or ligament Description Notes Costal cartilages of ribs 1-7 connect to the sternum; costal cartilages of ribs 8-10 connect to the costal cartilage of rib 7; costal cartilages of ribs 11 & 12 do not articulate anteriorly but end in the muscles of the abdominal wall

Costal cartilage

The cartilage that caps the medial end of the rib

Radiate sternocostal ligaments

These ligaments connect the costal cartilages of ribs 1-7 with the Ligaments that reinforce the sternum on both the anterior and posterior surfaces of the sternocostal joint capsule sternocostal articulation The angle formed by the articulation between the manubrium and the body of the sternum A synchondrosis; the cartilage within this joint usually does not become ossified until old age; the angle formed by this articulation is also called the angle of Louis; the sternal angle marks the level of the second costal cartilage from which all other ribs are counted

Sternal angle

A synchondrosis (rib 1) or synovial joints (ribs 2-10); sternocostal Sternocostal joints The articulations that synovial joints involving ribs 2-7 contain thin joint capsules; connect the costal cartilages interchondral joints involving ribs 8-10 have simple gliding synovial

with the sternum

articulations; radiate sternocostal ligaments reinforce the sternocostal articulations

Xiphisternal joint

The articulation that A synchondrosis; the cartilage within this joint usually becomes connects the xiphoid ossified in old age; the xiphisternal joint marks the inferior extent of process with the body of the the thoracic cavity (Greek, xiphos = sword) sternum

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JOINTS AND LIGAMENTS OF THE ABDOMEN - LISTED ALPHABETICALLY

Joint or ligament Description Notes

Inguinal ligament

The inguinal ligament is a specialization of the inferior border of The ligament that connects the external abdominal oblique aponeurosis; it is the site of origin the anterior superior iliac for a part of the internal abdominal oblique muscle and for a part of spine with the pubic tubercle the transversus abdominis muscle; also known as: Poupart's ligament An extension of the medial end of inguinal ligament which connects the pubic tubercle with the pecten of the pubis The lacunar ligament is a flattened portion of the aponeurosis of the external abdominal oblique m. That projects posteriorly from the pubic tubercle; it forms the medial border of the femoral ring and the floor of the inguinal canal at the superficial inguinal ring (Latin, lacuna = a lake or pit) The pectineal ligament looks like an extension of the lacunar ligament along the surface of the pectineal line; also known as: Cooper's ligament (note: Cooper's ligaments are also found in the breast)

Lacunar ligament

Pectineal ligament

A thickening of fascia on the pecten of the pubis

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JOINTS AND LIGAMENTS OF THE PELVIS AND PERINEUM - LISTED ALPHABETICALLY

Joint or ligament Description Notes

Iliolumbar ligament

A ligament that connects the transverse process of The iliolumbar ligament stabilizes the lumbosacral joint the L5 vertebra to the iliac crest A symphysis; this articulation is characterized by all of the features of a typical intervertebral articulation which include: an intervertebral disk, anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments, synovial joints between articular processes, ligamenta flava, interspinal and supraspinal ligaments; a strong iliolumbar ligament strengthens this joint A symphysis; a fibrocartilage interpubic disk unites the bones; the subpubic angle in the female is greater than the subpubic angle in the male (Greek, symphysis = a growing together)

The articulation between the L5 vertebral body and Lumbosacral joint the body of the first sacral segment

Pubic symphysis

The midline joint uniting the superior rami of the two pubic bones

Sacroiliac joint

The articulation between the ala of the sacrum and the auricular surface of the ilium

A synovial joint; the fibrous articular capsule is thickened dorsally and ventrally to form the sacroiliac ligaments; because of the interlocking nature of the joint surfaces and the strong sacroiliac ligaments, only limited movement is permitted at the sacroiliac joint

Sacrospinous ligament

The ligament that connects the ischial spine Together with the sacrotuberous ligament, it converts the greater and to the lateral surface of the lesser sciatic notches into greater and lesser sciatic foramina sacrum and coccyx The ligament that connects the ischial tuberosity to the lateral surface of the sacrum and coccyx

Sacrotuberous ligament

Together with sacrospinous ligament, it converts the greater and lesser sciatic notches into greater and lesser sciatic foramina

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JOINTS AND LIGAMENTS OF THE BACK REGION - LISTED ALPHABETICALLY

Joint or ligament Anterior longitudinal ligament Interspinous ligament Description A ligament that courses from superior to inferior along the anterior surfacesa of all vertebral bodies A ligament that connects the spinous processes of two adjacent vertebra Notes It lies directly posterior to the thoracic and abdominal viscera

A syndesmosis

A symphysis; it is composed of two parts: an outer anulus fibrosus and an inner nucleus pulposus; the A fibrocartilaginous disk between adjacent nucleus pulposus is the remnant of the notochord; the Intervertebral disc vertebral bodies intervertebral disks are important shock absorbers between vertebrae A ligament formed predominantly by elastic fibers which joins the laminae of adjacent vertebrae A syndesmosis; paired; the ligamentum flavum is penetrated by the needle during spinal tap; (Latin, flavum/flavus = yellow - a reference to the predominance of yellow elastic fibers which gives this

Ligamenta flava

ligament its grossly visible color) A midline ligament that extends posteriorly from the spinous processes of cervical vertebrae and extends from the base of the skull to the 7th cervical vertebra A ligament that courses from superior to inferior along the posterior surfaces of all vertebral bodies A ligament that connects the tips of the spinous processes of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae A small joint between the articular processes of adjacent vertebrae A syndesmosis; it provides muscle attachments to the cervical spinous processes without the necessity of long spinous processes that would hinder extension of the neck It is broader at the intervertebral disks and narrow at the vertebral bodies which gives it a scalloped edge; it is located in the vertebral canal; it is NOT penetrated by the needle during spinal tap A syndesmosis; the supraspinous ligament begins at the C7 vertebra and ends at the mid-sacral segmental level; it serves as a muscle attachment site A synovial plane joint

Nuchal ligament

Posterior longitudinal ligament

Supraspinous ligament Zygapophyseal joint Back to TOC