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    Radius
    Forearm bone on the thumb side.
    Occipital Bone
    Bone forming the back and base of the skull.
    Acetabulum
    The acetabulum is the pelvic socket that connects with the femoral head to form the hip joint, vital for stability, movement, and weight-bearing.
    Tibialis Anterior
    Muscle that dorsiflexes and inverts the foot.
    Hyoid Bone
    U-shaped bone in the neck that supports the tongue.
    Maxillae
    Upper jaw bones that house the teeth and form part of the orbit.
    Abductor Digiti Minimi Muscle
    The abductor digiti minimi muscle is a hypothenar muscle that abducts and flexes the little finger, aiding grip and precision in hand movements.
    Temporal Bones
    Bones forming the lower sides of the skull and housing the ears.
    Ilium
    Uppermost and largest part of the hip bone.
    Nasal Bones
    Bones forming the bridge of the nose.
    Gliding (Plane) Joints
    e.g., between carpals
    Trapezius
    Muscle responsible for moving, rotating, and stabilizing the scapula.
    Skull
    Bony structure of the head that encases the brain.
    Sternocleidomastoid
    Muscle that rotates and flexes the neck.
    Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
    Knee ligament that stabilizes the joint.
    Metatarsals (5 bones)
    5 bones forming the mid-foot.
    Gastrocnemius
    Calf muscle responsible for plantarflexion of the foot.
    Femur
    Thigh bone, the longest and strongest bone in the body.
    Sartorius
    Longest muscle in the body responsible for hip flexion.
    Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL)
    Knee ligament that stabilizes the joint.
    Carpals (8 bones)
    8 wrist bones.
    Gomphoses
    Fibrous joints where a peg fits into a socket (e.g., teeth in jaw).
    Gluteus Maximus
    Largest muscle in the buttocks responsible for hip extension.
    Frontal Bone
    Bone forming the forehead and upper part of the orbits.
    Sacrum
    Triangular bone at the base of the spine.

    Ligamentum Flavum

    Reviewed by our medical team

    Spinal ligament connecting the laminae of adjacent vertebrae.

    1. Overview

    The ligamentum flavum (Latin for “yellow ligament”) is a series of paired elastic ligaments that connect the laminae of adjacent vertebrae from the cervical to the sacral region. These ligaments are part of the posterior wall of the vertebral canal and contribute significantly to spinal stability and posture. Their elasticity allows for smooth motion during spinal flexion and extension while maintaining tension on the vertebral column.

    2. Location

    The ligamentum flavum is located on the posterior aspect of the vertebral canal:

    • Extends from: The axis (C2) to the sacrum, segmentally connecting the laminae of adjacent vertebrae.

    • Position: Lies just anterior to the laminae and posterior to the spinal cord and dura mater.

    • Part of: The inner wall of the vertebral arch, forming a continuous part of the posterior boundary of the spinal canal.

    3. Structure

    The ligamentum flavum is a paired elastic ligament with the following features:

    • Composition: Rich in elastin fibers (up to 80%), giving it a yellowish appearance and high elasticity.

    • Arrangement: Each ligament extends between the anterior surface of the upper vertebra's lamina to the posterior surface of the lamina below.

    • Thickness: Thickest in the lumbar region (~3–5 mm), where mechanical demand is greatest; thinnest in the cervical region.

    • Paired nature: Each side is separated by the midline and attaches to the right or left side of the lamina.

    4. Function

    The ligamentum flavum serves several important mechanical functions:

    • Maintains spinal posture: Helps maintain an upright posture by providing continuous tension on the vertebral column.

    • Assists recoil during movement: Its elastic nature helps the spine return to a neutral position after flexion.

    • Protects neural structures: Prevents buckling into the spinal canal during extension, protecting the spinal cord and nerve roots.

    • Supports laminar alignment: Helps maintain close approximation between adjacent vertebral laminae.

    5. Physiological role(s)

    In addition to structural support, the ligamentum flavum contributes to several physiological processes:

    • Energy conservation: Stores elastic energy during flexion and releases it during extension, reducing the workload on back muscles.

    • Stabilization: Helps stabilize spinal segments during minor movements and prevents excessive flexion or rotation.

    • Limits abrupt motion: Acts as a buffer to protect the intervertebral discs and facet joints from sudden jolts.

    6. Clinical Significance

    The ligamentum flavum is implicated in several spinal pathologies and surgical concerns:

    • Ligamentum flavum hypertrophy:

      • Thickening of the ligament, especially in the lumbar region, can narrow the spinal canal (spinal stenosis), compressing the spinal cord or nerve roots.

    • Spinal stenosis:

      • Hypertrophied or ossified ligamentum flavum contributes significantly to central canal stenosis, leading to symptoms such as back pain, neurogenic claudication, and sciatica.

    • Ligamentum flavum cysts:

      • Degenerative cysts can form within or adjacent to the ligament, causing mass effect on neural structures.

    • Surgical relevance:

      • Often resected during laminectomy or spinal decompression procedures; care must be taken to avoid injury to the dura mater underneath.

    • Ossification (OLF):

      • More common in thoracic spine and certain populations (e.g., East Asians), ossified ligamentum flavum can cause myelopathy requiring surgical intervention.

    Did you know? The adult human body contains around 60,000 miles of blood vessels.