Posterior longitudinal ligament

Last revised by Craig Hacking ◉ ◈ on 28 Oct 2020

Citation, DOI & article data

Citation:

Wong A, Hacking C, Gaillard F, et al. Posterior longitudinal ligament. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 05 Feb 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-36586

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-36586

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/36586?iframe=true

rID:

36586

Article created:

30 Apr 2015 by Aaron Wong

Revisions:

5 times by 4 users - see full revision history

Systems:

Spine

Sections:

Anatomy

Tags:

spinal, ligament

Synonyms:

Posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL)
Posterior longitudinal ligaments

The posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) is a long and important ligament located immediately posterior to the vertebral bodies (to which it attaches loosely) and intervertebral discs (to which it is firmly attached).

It extends from the back of the sacrum inferiorly and gradually broadens as it ascends. At the level of C2 (the axis) it spreads out and becomes the tectorial membrane that eventually inserts into the base of skull ^1,2.