Which statement about the ligamenta flava is correct?
- A They connect adjacent spinous processes and contain dense collagen
- B They connect adjacent laminae and are rich in elastic fibres ✓
- C They extend from the foramen magnum to the coccyx as a continuous sheet
- D They form the anterior boundary of the vertebral canal
Correct answer: B. They connect adjacent laminae and are rich in elastic fibres
Explanation
The ligamenta flava connect the laminae of adjacent vertebrae from C2 to the sacrum and are composed largely of elastic tissue, hence their yellow colour and their elasticity during spinal flexion and extension. Hypertrophy of these ligaments narrows the vertebral canal posteriorly and is a recognised cause of lumbar spinal stenosis. The supraspinous and interspinous ligaments, not the flava, attach to spinous processes.
Reference: Gray's Anatomy for Students, 4th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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