The lumbar spine refers to the lower back, where the spine curves inward toward the abdomen. It starts about five or six inches below the shoulder blades, and connects with the thoracic spine at the top and extends downward to the sacral spine.The lumbar vertebrae are the five vertebrae between the rib cage and the pelvis. They are the largest segments of the vertebral column. They are designated L1 to L5, starting at the top. The lumbar vertebrae help support the weight of the body, and permit movement.
Lumbar Muscles
Four functional groups of muscles govern the lumbar spine and can be divided into extensors, flexors, lateral flexors, and rotators. Synergistic muscle action from both the left and right side muscle groups exist during flexion and extension of the L-spine.
Lumbar Ligaments
The anterior longitudinal ligament covers the ventral surfaces of lumbar vertebral bodies and discs. It is intimately attached to the anterior annular disc fibers and widens as it descends the vertebral column. The anterior longitudinal ligament maintains the stability of the joints and limits extension.
The posterior longitudinal ligament is located within the vertebral canal over the posterior surface of the vertebral bodies and discs. It functions to limit flexion of the vertebral column, except at the lower L-spine, where it is narrow and weak.
The supraspinous ligament joins the tips of the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae from L1-L3. The interspinous ligament interconnects the spinous processes, from root to apex of adjacent processes. Sometimes described together as the interspinous/supraspinous ligament complex, they weakly resist spinal separation and flexion.
The ligamentum flavum (LF) bridges the interlaminar interval, attaching to the interspinous ligament medially and the facet capsule laterally, forming the posterior wall of the vertebral canal. It has a broad attachment to the undersurface of the superior lamina and inserts onto the leading edge of the inferior lamina. Normally, the ligament is taut, stretching for flexion and contracting its elastin fibers in neutral or extension. It maintains constant disc tension.
The intertransverse ligament joins the transverse processes of adjacent vertebrae and resists lateral bending of the trunk.
The iliolumbar ligament arises from the tip of the L5 transverse process and connects to the posterior part of the inner lip of the iliac crest. It helps the lateral lumbosacral ligament and the ligaments mentioned above stabilize the lumbosacral joint.
Common conditions of lumbar muscles and ligaments include:
- Lumbar Strain
- Iliolumbar Ligament Syndrome
