Ligamentum flavum

Last revised by Tariq Walizai on 7 Jul 2024

The ligamenta flava (singular: ligamentum flavum) are paired ligaments which run between adjacent laminae of the vertebral bodies and are present from C2/3 to the sacrum. Above the C2/3 level, the equivalent structures are known as the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane between the skull base and C1 and between C1 and C2 may be known as the posterior atlanto-axial membrane. The ligamenta flava form part of the posterior ligamentous complex of the vertebral column.

  • paired, yellowish, elastic ligament

  • forms part of the posterior border of the spinal canal

  • relatively thin in the cervical spine, progressively becoming thickest in the lumbar spine

  • broad base along the lamina from the facet joints to base of the spinous process

  • attaches from the front of the upper lamina to the back of the lower lamina

  • in the lumbar region, it runs laterally, covering the anterior aspect of the facet joints

  • anterolateral: intervertebral foramen and contents (spinal nerve roots, segmental arteries, recurrent meningeal nerves, communicating veins between internal and external venous plexus)

  • anteromedial: spinal cord and meninges

  • posterolateral: lamina and facet joints

  • posteromedial: spinous process, interspinous ligament, venous connection between internal and external vertebral venous plexuses

  • superficial: medial branch of dorsal roots of spinal nerves

  • deep: sinuvertebral nerves (recurrent meningeal nerves)

Flavum is Latin for yellow, referring to the color of the ligament.

Cases and figures

  • Figure 1
  • Figure 2: ligaments of the lumbar spine (Gray's illustration)
  • Figure 3: ligamentum flavum (Gray's illustration)
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