The spinal ligaments
Ligaments of the vertebral column
Long and short ligaments that bind the vertebrae into a stable but flexible column.
What it does
Long ligaments run down the front and back of the vertebral bodies, while short ones link the arches and spines of neighbouring vertebrae. They limit how far the spine can bend in each direction, protecting the spinal cord and discs.
Surprising fact
The ligaments linking the arches, the ligamenta flava, are yellow and elastic; they stretch when you bend forward and help snap you back upright.
Why it matters
These ligaments thicken with age, which can narrow the spinal canal and cause leg pain on walking that eases when you bend forward or sit.
Nearby
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Sources
Drafted with AI help; awaiting a human fact-check against these sources.
Open in the 3D atlas · Suggest a correction · Not medical advice.
3D models: Z-Anatomy & BodyParts3D (CC BY-SA 4.0 / 2.1 JP). Card text CC BY 4.0.