Anterior longitudinal ligament

Last revised by Craig Hacking on 28 Oct 2020

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Wong A, Hacking C, Haouimi A, et al. Anterior longitudinal ligament. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 01 Dec 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-36568

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-36568

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/36568

rID:

36568

Article created:

30 Apr 2015, Aaron Wong

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Aaron Wong had no recorded disclosures.

View Aaron Wong's current disclosures

Last revised:

28 Oct 2020, Craig Hacking ◉ ◈

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Craig Hacking had no recorded disclosures.

View Craig Hacking's current disclosures

Revisions:

16 times, by 12 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Musculoskeletal, Spine

Sections:

Anatomy

Tags:

ligament, spinal, refs

Synonyms:

Anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL)
Anterior longitudinal ligaments

The anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) runs along the anterior surface of the vertebral bodies (firmly united to the periosteum) and intervertebral discs (attaching to the anterior annulus). It ascends from the anterosuperior portion of the sacrum superiorly to become the anterior atlantooccipital membrane at the level of the anterior arch of C1 (atlas) ^1-6.

It can be divided into three distinct layers ^2,3.

superficial: traverses 3-4 vertebrae
intermediate: covers 2-3 vertebrae
deep
- between individual vertebrae, it either blends into the periosteum or inserts anteriorly
- the first ALL layer is typically affected in DISH ⁴