Trunk (thorax, abdomen, back)

Intertransverse ligaments

Ligamenta intertransversaria

Origin

Undersurface of the transverse process of the vertebra above

Insertion

Upper surface of the transverse process of the vertebra below

Function

Check lateral flexion to the opposite side and so limit sideways movement per segment.

Innervation

Dorsal rami of the spinal nerves

Movement & chain

Lumbar they are sturdy membranes, thoracic thin cords between the rib necks, cervical largely replaced by the intertransversarii muscles. Their form follows the freedom of movement of the region.

Palpation

Not directly palpable: they lie deep to erector spinae. What you can do is compare the transverse processes on both sides and judge the resistance to lateral flexion.

Clinical

Rarely a source of complaints on their own. They matter in a transverse process fracture, where the pull of these ligaments and quadratus lumborum can displace the fragment.

Segmental innervation

Segmentally per level

In clinical practice

In lateral flexion mobilisation these are the ligaments that set the end position, together with the contralateral facet joint.

Region in the model

Trunk (thorax, abdomen, back)