Ligaments and joints of lumbosacral spine and pelvic girdle

Intervertebral articulations viewed from above and behind

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Image #215-5

Ligaments and joints of lumbosacral spine and pelvic girdle

Intervertebral articulations viewed from above and behind

The third and fourth lumbar vertebrae have been separated by cutting the intervertebral disc and dividing the posterior joint capsules and the various ligaments connecting the two vertebrae.

1. Anterior longitudinal ligament (cut across)
2. Anulus fibrosus
3. Nucleus pulposus (both 2 and 3 are part of the intervertebral disc)
4. Vertebral canal (pointer on anterior internal vertebral venous plexus)
5. Pedicle (arch of vertebra) L. IV
6. Superior articular process (upper pointer, cut margin of joint capsule; lower pointer, superior articular surface)
7. Lamina (arch of vertebra) L. IV
8. Mamillary process
9. Transverse process
10. Inferior articular process vertebra L. IV
11. Intervertebral joint capsule L. V - S. 1
12. Dorsal sacroiliac ligament
13. Superior vertebral incisure (note veins forming communications between internal and external vertebral venous plexuses)
14. Ligamentum flavum (cut across)
15. Interspinous ligament
16. Iliolumbar ligament
17. Lateral part sacrum
18. Iliac crest
19. Supraspinous ligament (overlying spinous process vertebra L. IV)