Intertransverse ligament
Ligament of the spine
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The intertransverse ligaments are weak, sheet-like[1] ligaments interconnecting adjacent transverse processes in the thoracic spine, and adjacent accessory processes in the lumbar spine. They act to limit lateral flexion and rotation of the spine.[2]
| Intertransverse ligament | |
|---|---|
A cervical vertebra (transverse processes labeled at upper right) | |
Vertebral arches of three thoracic vertebrae viewed from the front | |
| Details | |
| From | Transverse processes |
| To | Transverse processes |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | ligamenta intertransversaria |
| TA98 | A03.2.01.004 |
| TA2 | 1676 |
| FMA | 13426 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
Structure
In the cervical region, they consist of a few irregular fibers that are largely replaced by the intertransversarii.[3] In the thoracic region, they are rounded cords intimately connected with the deep muscles of the back.[4] In the lumbar, region they are thin and membranous.[3]
The intertransverse ligaments often blend with the intertransverse muscles.[5][citation needed]