LIGAMENTS OF THE SPINE. 



455 



deep ones are short and ex- FIG. 132. 



tend simply to adjoining ver- 

 tebrae. It is thin in the neck, 

 thicker in the back, and again 

 becomes thin in the loins. The 

 use of this ligament is to 

 bind together the several ver- 

 tebrae, and prevent over-ex- 

 tension of the spine. 



2. The posterior vertebral ligament (Fig. 133) is situated 

 upon the back part of the bodies of the spinal column, within 

 the canal, and extends from the axis to the FIG. 133. 

 sacrum, the fibres being traced still higher 



to the cuneiform process of the os-occipitis, 

 and lower to the coccyx. This ligament 

 has its fibres arranged in a similar manner 

 to the anterior, consisting of short and long. 

 It is broad over the intervertebral substance, 

 to which it is also more adherent. It is 

 loose upon the bodies, being separated by 

 the veins which escape from the large 

 foramina seen on this surface. This liga- 

 ment antagonizes the former by opposing excessive flexion 

 of the spine, while, at the same time, it assists in binding 

 together and strengthening the several vertebrae. 



3. Intervertebral ligaments are situated between the bodies 

 of each vertebra, except the first and second. Their struc- 

 ture is of a mixed character, partaking both of ligament and 

 cartilage, hence called also fbro-cartilages. They are so 

 strongly united to the upper and lower surfaces of the 

 vertebrae, that it requires even maceration for a complete 

 separation. 



FIG. 132 represents the Anterior Vertebral Ligament. 1 Anterior vertebral 

 ligament. 2 Anterior costo-vertebral ligament. 3 Internal transverse liga- 

 ment. 4 Inter-articular ligament. 



FIG. 133 represents the Posterior Vertebral Ligament, a a Intervertebral 

 ubstance. 6 6 Surfaces of bony bridges where cut. c Posterior vertebral 

 ligament, d Opening for a vertebral vein. 



