Which movement does the supraspinous ligament resist?

Which movement does the supraspinous ligament resist?

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

Answer: (C)

The movement this ligament resists is bending the spine forward. It runs along the tips of the spinous processes from the lower back up to the neck, and as you flex the spine the spinous processes move apart, stretching the supraspinous ligament. That tension helps limit further forward bending and protects the posterior structures. In extension the distance between spinous processes decreases and the ligament becomes slack, while rotation and lateral bending rely more on other structures like facet joints and different ligaments.

The movement this ligament resists is bending the spine forward. It runs along the tips of the spinous processes from the lower back up to the neck, and as you flex the spine the spinous processes move apart, stretching the supraspinous ligament. That tension helps limit further forward bending and protects the posterior structures. In extension the distance between spinous processes decreases and the ligament becomes slack, while rotation and lateral bending rely more on other structures like facet joints and different ligaments.