Ossification in OPLL involves which ligament?

Ossification in OPLL involves which ligament?

• A. Posterior Longitudinal Ligament
• B. Anterior Longitudinal Ligament
• C. Ligamentum Flavum
• D. Nuchal Ligament

Answer: (A)

Ossification in OPLL targets the posterior longitudinal ligament, the band that runs inside the spinal canal along the back of the vertebral bodies. When this ligament ossifies, it thickens and narrows the canal from the posterior aspect, which can compress the spinal cord and lead to myelopathy. The anterior longitudinal ligament sits on the front of the spine and is not the structure implicated in OPLL. The ligamentum flavum lies between the laminae on the back of the canal and can contribute to stenosis in other conditions, but OPLL specifically refers to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. The nuchal ligament is a superficial cervical structure and not involved in this process.

Ossification in OPLL targets the posterior longitudinal ligament, the band that runs inside the spinal canal along the back of the vertebral bodies. When this ligament ossifies, it thickens and narrows the canal from the posterior aspect, which can compress the spinal cord and lead to myelopathy. The anterior longitudinal ligament sits on the front of the spine and is not the structure implicated in OPLL. The ligamentum flavum lies between the laminae on the back of the canal and can contribute to stenosis in other conditions, but OPLL specifically refers to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. The nuchal ligament is a superficial cervical structure and not involved in this process.