What motion does the ALL limit?

What motion does the ALL limit?

• A. Hyperextension
• B. Flexion
• C. Lateral flexion
• D. Rotation

Answer: (D)

The thing being tested is how spinal ligaments constrain movement based on their orientation. The anterior longitudinal ligament runs along the front of the vertebral bodies and discs. Because it sits on the anterior aspect, it becomes taut when the spine is extended (bent backward). That tension prevents the vertebrae from opening too much at the front and stops further backward bending, so it mainly limits hyperextension. Rotation, on the other hand, is controlled more by the facet joints and the ligaments around the posterior elements, not by the anterior longitudinal ligament. So the motion the ALL restricts is hyperextension.

The thing being tested is how spinal ligaments constrain movement based on their orientation. The anterior longitudinal ligament runs along the front of the vertebral bodies and discs. Because it sits on the anterior aspect, it becomes taut when the spine is extended (bent backward). That tension prevents the vertebrae from opening too much at the front and stops further backward bending, so it mainly limits hyperextension.

Rotation, on the other hand, is controlled more by the facet joints and the ligaments around the posterior elements, not by the anterior longitudinal ligament. So the motion the ALL restricts is hyperextension.