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Ligamenta flava (Ligamentum flavum)

The ligamenta flava are paired, elastic ligaments connecting the laminae of adjacent vertebrae along the posterior aspect of the vertebral canal. Composed primarily of elastic fibers with some collagen, these ligaments form a continuous sheet from C2 to S1, contributing to the posterior wall of the vertebral canal. They are thickest in the lumbar region and thinner in the cervical spine.

The ligamenta flava serve to maintain upright posture, assist in spinal extension, and protect the spinal cord by preventing excessive flexion. Their elasticity allows smooth motion between vertebrae while maintaining tension to preserve vertebral canal integrity. Hypertrophy of these ligaments is a common cause of spinal canal narrowing and lumbar stenosis.

Function

  • Connect adjacent laminae, forming the posterior vertebral canal wall

  • Preserve spinal stability during flexion and extension

  • Assist in returning the spine to neutral position after flexion

  • Protect the spinal cord and nerve roots

  • Act as a shock absorber, distributing forces across vertebrae

  • Thickening may contribute to spinal stenosis

Synonyms

  • Ligamentum flavum (singular)

  • Flavum ligament

  • Posterior interlaminar ligament

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Ligamenta flava appear as low signal intensity (hypointense) bands between adjacent laminae

  • Surrounding fat in the epidural space appears hyperintense, providing contrast

  • Degenerative or hypertrophied ligaments may be thickened but remain low signal

T2-weighted images:

  • Hypointense structure due to dense elastic fibers

  • May show focal hyperintensity if edema, inflammation, or calcification is present

  • Hypertrophy reduces the posterior epidural space, potentially compressing the spinal cord or nerve roots

STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery):

  • Normal ligamenta flava are low signal

  • Edema or acute injury is hyperintense, useful for detecting trauma or inflammatory changes

T1 Post-Contrast (Gadolinium-enhanced):

  • Normal ligamenta flava do not enhance significantly

  • Pathological conditions (inflammation, tumor invasion, or vascularized scar tissue) show enhancement along the affected segment

CT Appearance:

  • Ligamenta flava appear as soft tissue density bands connecting laminae

  • Thickened or calcified ligamenta flava are hyperdense, clearly seen on CT

  • CT is particularly useful for evaluating hypertrophy, ossification, and bony canal narrowing

  • Axial and sagittal reconstructions provide a detailed view of posterior canal diameter and ligament morphology

MRI images

Ligamenta flava mri axial image -img-00000-00000

MRI images

Ligamenta flava mri sag image -img-00000-00000

MRI images

Ligamenta flava c spine

CT image

Ligamentum flavum ct axial image