Which ligament does NOT limit hyperflexion of the cervical spine?

Which ligament does NOT limit hyperflexion of the cervical spine?

• A. Anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL)
• B. Posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL)
• C. Ligamentum flavum
• D. Interspinous ligament

Answer: (A)

The main idea is which ligaments resist bending forward (flexion) versus bending backward (extension). In the cervical spine, the posterior-side restraints—the posterior longitudinal ligament, the ligamentum flavum, and the interspinous ligaments—tighten when you flex your neck and help limit hyperflexion. The anterior longitudinal ligament runs along the front of the vertebral bodies and primarily resists hyperextension, not flexion. So the ligament that does not limit hyperflexion is the anterior longitudinal ligament.

The main idea is which ligaments resist bending forward (flexion) versus bending backward (extension). In the cervical spine, the posterior-side restraints—the posterior longitudinal ligament, the ligamentum flavum, and the interspinous ligaments—tighten when you flex your neck and help limit hyperflexion. The anterior longitudinal ligament runs along the front of the vertebral bodies and primarily resists hyperextension, not flexion. So the ligament that does not limit hyperflexion is the anterior longitudinal ligament.