Ligament · Neck
Posterior longitudinal ligament
Ligamentum longitudinale posterius
Reviewed by Dr. Ryan Rietz, D.P.T. and Dr. John Breyman, D.C.
The counterpart of the anterior longitudinal ligament, running down the back of the vertebral bodies inside the spinal canal. It limits the spine bending forward. It is narrower than its anterior twin — particularly in the lower back — which leaves the back corners of the discs comparatively unsupported, and this is part of why disc material tends to move backward and to the side rather than straight back.
Also known as
- pll
- posterior longitudinal