Anterior Sacroiliac Ligament

Original Editor - Khloud Shreif Top Contributors - Khloud Shreif, Memoona Awan, Wendy Snyders and Kim Jackson

Description[edit | edit source]

Anterior sacroiliac ligament

Anterior sacroiliac ligament (ASL) is comprised of many thin strands and forms from a thickened part of the anterior joint capsule[1][2] . It is Also called Ventral sacroiliac ligament. It is a smooth sheet of dense connective tissue stretching between the ventral surfaces of the sacral alar and ilium[1]. It is the thinnest sacroiliac joint ligament[2] and is larger in males[1].

Attachments[edit | edit source]

It runs from the iliac ala, anterior to the auricular surface, to the sacrum's pelvic surface[3]. In the area between the psoas major and the cranial insertion of the obturator internus, the ventral sacroiliac ligament is closely related to lumbosacral trunk ( L4-L5), and obturator nerve. The major blood vessels ( iliac artery and vein) can also be found nearby.

Function[edit | edit source]

The ASL has very little effect on pelvic stability and compared to the posterior sacroiliac ligament, it has little influence on SIJ mobility[4].

Assessment[edit | edit source]

The anterior sacroiliac ligament is a weak and thin ligament that runs over the front of the SI joint and blends with the joint capsule and it may be a significant source of pain due to innervation of pain receptors.. There are various provocation tests for the sacroiliac joint but none of them isolate the anterior sacroiliac joint ligament.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Vleeming A, Schuenke MD, Masi AT, Carreiro JE, Danneels L, Willard FH. The sacroiliac joint: an overview of its anatomy, function and potential clinical implications. Journal of anatomy. 2012 Dec;221(6):537-67.
  2. 2.0 2.1 WONG M, SINKLER M, KIEL J. Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Sacroiliac Joint. StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL).
  3. 1. MD GS. Sacroiliac joint [Internet]. Kenhub; 2022 [cited 2023 Aug 7]. Available from: https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/sacroiliac-joint
  4. Kiapour A, Joukar A, Elgafy H, Erbulut DU, Agarwal AK, Goel VK. Biomechanics of the sacroiliac joint: anatomy, function, biomechanics, sexual dimorphism, and causes of pain. International journal of spine surgery. 2020 Feb 1;14(s1):S3-13.