Articulation of the Vertebral Column with the Pelvis: Difference between revisions

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Anatomy > Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body > III. Syndesmology > 5h. Articulation of the Vertebral Column with the Pelvis

Henry Gray (1821–1865). Anatomy of the Human Body. 1918.

Articulation of the Vertebral Column with the Pelvis

The connection between the vertebral column and the pelvis involves a combination of joints and ligaments, particularly where the fifth lumbar vertebra (L5) interfaces with the sacrum (S1). These structures form a crucial transitional zone between the mobile lumbar spine and the rigid sacroiliac joints of the pelvis.

The articulation includes:

The inferior continuation of the anterior longitudinal ligament and posterior longitudinal ligament
The intervertebral disc between the L5 and S1 vertebral bodies, forming an amphiarthrosis
The ligamenta flava, uniting the adjacent laminae of L5 and S1
Articular capsules surrounding the zygapophyseal joints (facet joints), forming paired arthrodial joints
The interspinous ligament and supraspinous ligament connecting adjacent spinous processes

Additionally, a special accessory ligament connects the vertebral column directly to the ilium of the pelvis: the **iliolumbar ligament**.

Iliolumbar Ligament (ligamentum iliolumbale)

FIG. 319 – The iliolumbar ligament, connecting L5 to the ilium and sacrum. (*Picture from the classic Gray's Anatomy*)

The **iliolumbar ligament** is a strong fibrous band that connects the transverse process of the L5 vertebra to the iliac crest and sacrum.

Attachments

**Superiorly:** To the anterior and inferior portion of the transverse process of the fifth lumbar vertebra
**Inferiorly:**
- One band attaches to the **iliac crest**, just anterior to the sacroiliac joint
- Another band blends with the **anterior sacroiliac ligament** and attaches to the lateral part of the sacrum

The ligament spreads out as it passes laterally, forming a fan-shaped structure that reinforces the lumbosacral junction.

Relations

**Anteriorly:** Related to the psoas major muscle
**Posteriorly:** In contact with the erector spinae muscles and other musculature in the vertebral groove
**Superiorly:** Continuous with the thoracolumbar fascia (also referred to as the lumbodorsal fascia)
**Inferiorly:** Near the superior margin of the iliacus and adjacent structures of the pelvis

Function

The iliolumbar ligament serves as a stabilizer of the lumbosacral junction. It:

Resists excessive movement at the L5–S1 joint
Prevents anterior translation of the L5 vertebra on the sacrum
Contributes to the integrity of the pelvic girdle during load transfer between the spine and lower limbs

Damage or laxity of this ligament has been implicated in certain types of low back pain and lumbosacral instability.

Gray's Anatomy

Anatomy atlases (external)

[1] - Anatomy Atlases

Adapted from the Classic Grays Anatomy of the Human Body 1918 edition (public domain)

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[Anatomy]] > [[Gray's Anatomy| Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body]] > III. Syndesmology > 5h. Articulation of the Vertebral Column with the Pelvis The Iliolumbar Ligament
+{{SI}}
+[[Anatomy]] > [[Gray's Anatomy|Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body]] > III. [[Syndesmology]] > 5h. '''Articulation of the Vertebral Column with the Pelvis'''
-[[Henry Gray]] (1821–1865).  Anatomy of the Human Body.  1918.
+[[Henry Gray]] (1821–1865). ''Anatomy of the Human Body''. 1918.
-=='''Articulation of the Vertebral Column with the Pelvis  '''==
-The Iliolumbar Ligament
-The ligaments connecting the fifth [[lumbar]] vertebra with the [[sacrum]] are similar to those which join the movable segments of the vertebral column with each other—viz.:
-. The continuation downward of the [[anterior]] and [[posterior]] longitudinal ligaments.
-. The intervertebral fibrocartilage, connecting the body of the fifth lumbar to that of the first [[sacral]] vertebra and forming an amphiarthrodial joint.
-. [[Ligamenta flava]], uniting the [[Laminae (singular, lamina)|laminae]] of the fifth lumbar vertebra with those of the first sacral.
-. [[Capsules]] connecting the articular processes and forming a double arthrodia.
-. Inter- and supraspinal ligaments.  On either side an additional ligament, the '''[[iliolumbar]]''' connects the pelvis with the vertebral column.
-=== '''The Iliolumbar Ligament (''ligamentum iliolumbale'') (Fig. 319)''' ===
+== '''Articulation of the Vertebral Column with the Pelvis''' ==
-The [[iliolumbar]] ligament is attached above to the lower and front part of the transverse process of the fifth lumbar vertebra. It radiates as it passes lateralward and is attached by two main bands to the [[pelvis]]. The lower bands run to the base of the sacrum, blending with the anterior sacroiliac ligament; the upper is attached to the crest of the [[ilium]] immediately in front of the [[sacroiliac]] articulation, and is continuous above with the [[lumbodorsal]] [[fascia]]. In ''front'' it is in relation with the [[Psoas]] major; ''behind'' with the muscles occupying the vertebral groove; ''above'' with the [[Quadratus lumborum.]]
-{{grays}}
+The connection between the vertebral column and the [[pelvis]] involves a combination of joints and ligaments, particularly where the [[fifth lumbar vertebra]] (L5) interfaces with the [[sacrum]] (S1). These structures form a crucial transitional zone between the mobile lumbar spine and the rigid [[sacroiliac joint]]s of the pelvis.
-__NOINDEX__
+The articulation includes:
+* The inferior continuation of the [[anterior longitudinal ligament]] and [[posterior longitudinal ligament]]
+* The [[intervertebral disc]] between the L5 and S1 vertebral bodies, forming an [[amphiarthrosis]]
+* The [[ligamenta flava]], uniting the adjacent [[laminae]] of L5 and S1
+* [[Articular capsules]] surrounding the [[zygapophyseal joints]] (facet joints), forming paired [[arthrodial joints]]
+* The [[interspinous ligament]] and [[supraspinous ligament]] connecting adjacent [[spinous processes]]
+Additionally, a special accessory ligament connects the vertebral column directly to the [[ilium]] of the pelvis: the **iliolumbar ligament**.
+== '''Iliolumbar Ligament''' (''ligamentum iliolumbale'') ==
+[[File:Gray319.png|thumb|FIG. 319 – The iliolumbar ligament, connecting L5 to the ilium and sacrum. (''Picture from the classic Gray's Anatomy'')]]
+The **iliolumbar ligament** is a strong fibrous band that connects the [[transverse process]] of the L5 vertebra to the [[iliac crest]] and [[sacrum]].
+=== Attachments ===
+* **Superiorly:** To the anterior and inferior portion of the transverse process of the fifth [[lumbar vertebra]]
+* **Inferiorly:**
+** One band attaches to the **iliac crest**, just anterior to the [[sacroiliac joint]]
+** Another band blends with the **anterior sacroiliac ligament** and attaches to the lateral part of the sacrum
+The ligament spreads out as it passes laterally, forming a fan-shaped structure that reinforces the lumbosacral junction.
+=== Relations ===
+* **Anteriorly:** Related to the [[psoas major]] muscle
+* **Posteriorly:** In contact with the [[erector spinae]] muscles and other musculature in the vertebral groove
+* **Superiorly:** Continuous with the [[thoracolumbar fascia]] (also referred to as the lumbodorsal fascia)
+* **Inferiorly:** Near the superior margin of the [[iliacus]] and adjacent structures of the pelvis
+=== Function ===
+The iliolumbar ligament serves as a stabilizer of the lumbosacral junction. It:
+* Resists excessive movement at the [[L5–S1 joint]]
+* Prevents anterior translation of the L5 vertebra on the sacrum
+* Contributes to the integrity of the [[pelvic girdle]] during load transfer between the spine and lower limbs
+Damage or laxity of this ligament has been implicated in certain types of [[low back pain]] and lumbosacral instability.
+== '''See Also''' ==
+* [[Lumbosacral joint]]
+* [[Sacroiliac joint]]
+* [[Intervertebral disc]]
+* [[Lumbar vertebrae]]
+* [[Pelvic girdle]]
+* [[Spinal ligaments]]
+* [[Psoas major]]
+* [[Thoracolumbar fascia]]
+{{Bones of torso}}
+{{Spinal nerves}}
+{{Spinal disease}}
+{{Human regional anatomy}}
+{{grays adapted}}
+[[Category:Bones of the vertebral column]]
+[[Category:Bones of the pelvis]]
+[[Category:Ligaments]]
+[[Category:Back anatomy]]
+[[Category:Vertebral column]]
+[[Category:Syndesmology]]
+[[Category:Spine]]
+[[Category:Irregular bones]]