Morphology and distribution characteristics of the intraforaminal anchor chain ligaments at the cervical level

doi:10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2022.5.02

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Chinese Journal of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2022, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (5) : 511-514. DOI: 10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2022.5.02

Morphology and distribution characteristics of the intraforaminal anchor chain ligaments at the cervical level

Shao Yupu¹, Zheng Xuefeng², Shi Benchao³, Ding Zihai³ , Zhao Qinghao⁴*

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Abstract

Objective To reveal the shape and distribution characteristics of anchor chain ligament in intervertebral foramina and to explore the relationship between anchor chain ligament and nerve entrapment in cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Methods Twelve adult specimens of cervical spine were dissected with electric saw in midsagittal incision. The root cuff was cut from the root of the nerve root cuff. The anchor-chain ligaments around the nerve root cuff at the internal orifice of the intervertebral foramen C3/4 to C7/T1 were dissected under a surgical microscope. The morphology, distribution, starting and ending points and course of ligaments were recorded. Results A total of 560 anchor chain ligaments were found around the nerve root sleeve of 120 interforaminal foramen. All ligaments were radially connected to the periosteum wall around the nerve root sleeve and the interforaminal foramen. The number of interforaminal orifice ligaments in each vertebra was more than 4. The morphology of anchor chain ligament mainly included two types: band shape and cable shape. There were 258 band ligaments with a width of (4.5±2.6) mm (4.1~5.2 mm), and 302 cord-shaped ligaments with a diameter of (2.5±1.8) mm (1.2~3.8) mm. The ligaments in the interforaminal orifice of C3/4 and C7/T1 were loose and thin, and the number of ligaments was less. C4/5~C6/7 interforaminal ligaments were tough and strong, and the number of ligaments was much more. Conclusions Anchor chain ligaments exist around nerve roots in the interforaminal orifice of cervical vertebra. Anchoring nerve roots to the periosteum wall of the interforaminal orifice greatly limits the free movement range of nerve roots, which may lead to nerve root compression together with disc herniation, which is a potential anatomical factor of radiculopathy.

Key words

Entrance of intervertebral foramen / / / Radiculocervical spondylopathy / / / Anchor chain ligament / / / Clinical anatomy

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Shao Yupu, Zheng Xuefeng, Shi Benchao, Ding Zihai , Zhao Qinghao. Morphology and distribution characteristics of the intraforaminal anchor chain ligaments at the cervical level[J]. Chinese Journal of Clinical Anatomy. 2022, 40(5): 511-514 https://doi.org/10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2022.5.02

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