Histological Observation of the Supraspinous Ligament

Light and Scanning Electron Microscopy

Abstract

The supraspinous ligament, which was taken during surgery, was observed by means of SEM in order to clarify ossification process of the ligament.
At the attachment of the bone, ligament's insertion is divided into four zones as Cooper described. The attachment of the bone has the structure of enthesis. Closer to the ossification, various changes were observed, such as thinness and branching of fibrils, bridging between fibrils, irregular network of fibrils and deposit of granular substance.