Corpus: Interspinal ligament

The interspinal ligaments are short, strong ligaments of the spinal column that run between the spinous processes (processus spinosi).

The interspinal ligaments stretch between the spinous processes of neighbouring vertebrae. Their attachment or origin extends from the base to the tip along the entire length of the spinous processes. The strength of the ligaments increases from cervical to lumbar – they are weakest in the area of the cervical spine.

At the tip of the spinous processes, the interspinous ligaments are in contact with the supraspinous ligament, at the base with the ligamenta flava.

The interspinal ligaments prevent the dorsal displacement of the cranially located vertebrae against the vertebra following it caudally and limit the ventral flexion of the spinal column.