Iliolumbar ligament
Description[edit | edit source]
The iliolumbar ligament is a strong band of connective tissue[1] and one of the three vertebropelvic ligaments. the others being the sacrotuberous and the sacrospinous ligaments. They help stabilise the lumbosacral spine on the pelvis.[2]
The iliolumbar ligaments are crucial in supporting the lower lumbar spine; they join the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae (L4 and L5) to the iliac bone crest at the back of the pelvis. Injury to this area, fairly common among certain athletes due to the amount of frantic spinal motion involved in many sports, can develop into sacroiliac joint pain and associated problems. The sacroiliac joint is located in the pelvis and helps to keep the spine stable.[3]
Anatomy[edit | edit source]
The portion of the iliolumbar ligament originating from the L-5 transverse process is made up of two bands (anterior and posterior). The anterior band is broad and flat and has two different anatomic varieties. Type 1 originates from the anterior aspect of the inferolateral portion of the L-5 transverse process and fans out widely before inserting on the anterior portion of the iliac tuberosity. Type 2 originates anteriorly, laterally, and posteriorly from inferolateral aspect of the L-5 transverse process and fans out before inserting on the anterior portion of the iliac tuberosity. The posterior band of the iliolumbar ligament originates from the apex of the L-5 transverse process and is fusiform. Just before inserting on the anterior margin and apex of the iliac crest it widens, assuming the aspect of a small cone.This posterior band is thinner than the anterior, with a smaller insertional base on the iliac crest, which explains its lesser resistance to torsional overloading and also explains the frequency of this painful syndrome. It is probable that the spatial disposition of the iliolumbar ligament influences its antitorsional role. [4]
Attachments[edit | edit source]
a small ligamentous band stretches from the tip of the transverse process of the fourth vertebra down to the iliac crest behind the main ligament.[5]The main part of ILL originates from L5 transverse processes.[6]
- ↑ 1. Carrino JA, Campbell PD, Lin DC et-al. Effect of Spinal Segment Variants on Numbering Vertebral Levels at Lumbar MR Imaging. Radiology. 2011;259 (1): 196-202. doi:10.1148/radiol.11081511 - Pubmed citation
- ↑ A STUDY OF ITS ANATOMY. DEVELOPMENT AND CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE K. D. K. LUK, H. C. HO. J. C. Y. Franz the Utzit’ersiti’ of Hong Kong, Queen Mart’ Hospital, Hong
- ↑ http://www.medic8.com/healthguide/sports-medicine/iliolumbar-ligament-injury.html
- ↑ Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 1996 Nov-Dec;75(6):451-5. Anatomy of the iliolumbar ligament: a review of its anatomy and a magnetic resonance study. Rucco V1, Basadonna PT, Gasparini D.
- ↑ Palastanga, Nigel; Field, Derek; Soames, Roger (2006). Anatomy and Human Movement: Structure and Function. Elsevier Health Sciences. pp. 332–333. ISBN 0-7506-8814-9.
- ↑ [CT axial imaging of the iliolumbar ligament and its significance on locating lumbosacral vertebral segments]. [Article in Chinese] Liu KC1, Xiang GZ, Chen GH, Zhou Y, Cao XQ, Xia JD, Li K.
