Ligaments of the spine. Top left, a right lateral view of a sagittal-plane cross-section. Top right, a posterior view with the posterior aspect of the vertebra removed. Bottom, a posterior view. Permission Dr. Joe Muscolino (www.learnmuscles.com).

Ligaments of the Spine

Joe Muscolino

We have views of the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments, ligamentum flavum, interspinous ligament, and supraspinous ligament

Circumduction of the cervical spine. Here we see the sequence of joint actions that comprise circumduction: left lateral flexion, flexion, right lateral flexion, and extension. Permission Dr. Joe Muscolino (www.learnmuscles.com).

Circumduction

Joe Muscolino

Circumduction is a motion that is a “rounded-out circle” created from a sequence of four sagittal and frontal plane joint actions.

Disc joint of the spine. Left lateral view of a sagittal-plane cross-section.

Cross-Section View of the Disc Joint

Joe Muscolino

Click here for access to the full Anatomy Glossary. Right click on the image for a downloadable file of this muscle. Use of this artwork requires proper credit to be given (Permission: Dr. Joe Muscolino. www.learnmuscles.com)   Disc joint of …

Joints of the spine - posterior view - drawn anatomy

Spinal Joints

Joe Muscolino

As a rule, there are three (3) joints at each segmental joint level of the spine. One anterior, midline disc joint; and two, paired left and right, posterior facet joints

The three cardinal planes are the sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes.

Cardinal Planes of the Body

Joe Muscolino

There are three cardinal planes of the body: sagittal , frontal, and transverse. Any other plane is oblique.