Intertransverse ligaments

Organization and role

Their development varies between spinal regions. They form part of a passive stabilizing system acting with discs, joint capsules and muscles.

Clinical relevance and investigation

Ligament strain cannot be diagnosed solely from pain during side bending. History, function and neurological findings guide the need for further investigation.

Points to consider

Stability depends on bones, capsules, ligaments, discs and muscles working together. Naming a joint or ligament does not establish injury. After trauma, their integrity must be considered before therapeutic mobilization.

Role of TAGMED care

At TAGMED, assessment aims to understand symptoms, history and functional limitations. Manual care and osteopathy, motorized spinal decompression, laser and shockwave have different indications. The term described in this entry is not enough to select any of these modalities. Their relevance, limitations and possible contraindications should be discussed in relation to diagnosis and individual goals.

Related concepts and distinctions

These concepts belong to the same field, but are not synonyms.

• Nuchal ligament — Posterior midline fibrous structure of the neck, functionally continuous with the supraspinous ligament and providing attachment for several neck muscles.
• Iliolumbar ligament — Ligament connecting mainly the L5 transverse process to the iliac crest and contributing to lumbosacral stability.
• Alar ligaments — Paired ligaments connecting the sides of the dens to the occipital region and helping limit excessive craniocervical movement.

Medical references

1. OpenStax, Rice University. Anatomy and Physiology 2e — The Vertebral Column.
2. Radiological Society of North America. RadLex Radiology Lexicon — terminology resource.

References document the topic; their inclusion does not imply endorsement of TAGMED services by those organizations.