Abstract
The difference between human spinal ligaments and those of animal is obscure. Histological and biomechanical properties of anterior and posterior ligaments were studied. Anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments resembled those of human histologically. Both ligaments consisted of deep and superficial layers. Both deep layers attached to the adjacent margins of the vertebral bodies. Posterior longitudinal ligament attached loosely to the mass of the posterior bodies. Both ligaments attached firmly to intervertebral disc.
In tension failure test, anterior longitudinal ligament was remarkably stiffer than posterior longitudinal ligament. Anterior longitudinal ligament was stiffest at lower thoracic level. There was little variation in strength with vertebral level for the posterior longitudinal ligament.
