INTERVERTEBRAL DISKS AND LIGATURES

The intervertebral disk topic is not included among the other "Deepest Ligatures" for three reasons: One is because these are more synovial than tensile. The difference between these and other synovia is that spinal synovia is near uniform size and shape and bear the load with more of a cushioning effect.

The second reason for this topic separation is that the ligatures around the vertebrae seal the spinal cord within the spinal column itself. No other application of ligatures encases such a complex and critical component.

The third, and maybe the most important reason, that this section is separate is that these connections are the most complex applications. There are other multi-layer and intricate joints, but the spinal column is the largest and most complicated construction.

Of course, there are some difference in the size and shapes of the intervertebral disks for a simple cause. There is a difference in sizes and shapes between the osseous surfaces of the vertebrae.

The intervertebral disks have a pulpy center as part of their construction. These have a shape and structure formed from TEFC and must be adhered to the osseous surfaces of the adjacent vertebrae. The development of these disks in the Lumbar region is most pronounced because of their respective size.

This topic does not discuss all of the ligatures of, or around, the spinal column in deference to this handbook's layer structure. The ligatures assigned to a middle layer or an outer layer are the:

.    Anterior Common Ligament

and the
.    Supraspinous ligament.

The remainder of this topic is about the innermost layer of the spinal ligatures. This layer must contain all of the interosseus ligatures and those most inaccessible once a subsequent layer is applied.

This process of connecting the skeletal elements begins with the spinal cord assembly, the vertebrae from the Occipital bone of the skull to the lowest lumbar, and the source materials batches for the ligatures ready for assembly. Assembly of the spinal column is from the Fifth Lumbar placed upon the Sacrum, through the descending orders of Lumbar, Dorsal, and Cervical vertebrae, then the Axis, and finally the Atlas.

The specific applications of the select ligature batches of the spinal column, in approximate application order, are:

.    See Gray, p.240 for pelvic base and refer to previous sections about that assembly. The Sacrum is part of the complete pelvic girdle.

    The processes and tubercles of most of the vertebrae point downward to various degrees. Therefore, it is more logical and hopefully more doable to construct the spinal column from the Sacrum up along the spine to the skull like assembling the Towers of Hanoi.

    Thread or dress the applicable (those leading to the legs and pelvic cavity) Spinal Cords through the Spinal foramen of the Fifth Lumbar vertebrae and the Sacrum and Coccyx. Also, thread the pair of cords that fan out from the neural arch into the bundle. Many of these leads through the Sacrum and Coccyx control the buttock and posterior thigh muscles.

    Insert the respective intervertebral disk with TEFC for adhesion to the lower surface and the top osseus surface of the Sacrum. Most disks in the spine will require applications of TEFC to their respective surfaces.

    The Interspinous ligament:

    Apply and dress the Posterior Common Ligament's long reinforcing strands along the anterior of the Spinal cord.

.    Attach the anterior edge of the spinal cord to the Posterior Common Ligament [Gray, p.223]. This will need to be fixed to the anterior of each vertebrae's spinal foramen.

.    Threading the Posterior Common Ligament fibers and the batch through the pedicles of some of the vertebrae will require attention.

.    This is the lower end of this ligament. The exact beginning or upper point of the Posterior Common Ligament is the Axis' body as defined (as of May 3, 1994) in Gray, page 224.

     Capsular Ligament:

     Ligamenta Subflavia:

.    The Lumbar region is the simplest regarding applying ligatures. There are no ribs to incorporate. The Spinal Cord is the smallest and the easiest to dress. The bones are a bit bigger and easier to handle.

    Repeat step  for the remaining Fourth through First Lumbar vertebrae with the consideration to thread into the Spinal Cord assembly additional associated signal paths.

    Attach the Twelfth Dorsal in the manner prescribed in steps and . The associated rib is closer to the top facet than this bottom facet.

    Be aware of the following additional processes, steps, ligatures, etc.:

    The Intertransverse Ligaments

    Gray has two classifications of ligatures relating to the rib heads. They are the:

    "Articulations between the Heads of the Ribs and the Bodies of the Vertebrae (Fig. 160)" and the

    "Articulations of the Necks and Tubercles of the Ribs with the Transverse Processes (Fig. 161)."

    Android making with batches of various materials suggest that these two topics should be combined into the appropriate layers.

    The ribs require the:

     Interarticular Ligament is the innermost ligature of this region. This includes the related Synovial Membrane.

    Extensive Costo-transverse structure.

    The Capsular Ligament is next. See Gray, page 235 for more human information.

    There are also capsular ligaments of the rib's necks and tubercles with the vertebral Transverse processes. Both of these grouping are to be incorporated at the same time.

    The Anterior Costo-vertebral or Stellate Ligament [Gray, p.234] is the last to be applied in this group. Notice Gray's Figure 160 show that this is composed of three (Upper, Middle, and Lower) Fasciculus.

    Repeat step  for the remaining Eleventh through First Dorsals in accordance with the accumulated sub-steps and applications.

    Place the Seventh Cervical vertebrae in the manner like the previous steps.

    Incorporate the Sixth-up to-Third Cervical vertebrae in the previously described procedure.

    Place the Second cervical, the Axis, on the Third Cervical vertebrae in the previous manner.

    Affix the Atlas to the Spinal column:

    Attach the Occipital:

.    That is; a little bit more of the batch material may be applied for a huskier build than for an average or slender one. This point applies for practically all of the remaining ligature applications.