Which ligament forms the posterior boundary of the vertebral canal by connecting laminae?

Which ligament forms the posterior boundary of the vertebral canal by connecting laminae?

• A. Interspinous ligament
• B. Supraspinous ligament
• C. Posterior longitudinal ligament
• D. Ligamentum flavum

Answer: (D)

The posterior boundary of the vertebral canal is formed by the laminae and the ligamentum flavum, which stretches between adjacent laminae. The ligamentum flavum is an elastic, yellow ligament that connects one lamina to the next, effectively sealing the canal from the back. This elastic nature helps it recoil after flexion and maintain the canal’s integrity. Other ligaments don’t bridge the laminae: the interspinous ligament runs between spinous processes, the supraspinous ligament runs along the tips of the spinous processes, and the posterior longitudinal ligament lies along the posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies inside the canal but on the anterior side. Thus, the ligament that forms the posterior border by connecting laminae is the ligamentum flavum.

The posterior boundary of the vertebral canal is formed by the laminae and the ligamentum flavum, which stretches between adjacent laminae. The ligamentum flavum is an elastic, yellow ligament that connects one lamina to the next, effectively sealing the canal from the back. This elastic nature helps it recoil after flexion and maintain the canal’s integrity. Other ligaments don’t bridge the laminae: the interspinous ligament runs between spinous processes, the supraspinous ligament runs along the tips of the spinous processes, and the posterior longitudinal ligament lies along the posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies inside the canal but on the anterior side. Thus, the ligament that forms the posterior border by connecting laminae is the ligamentum flavum.