Anterior longitudinal ligament injuries in whiplash may lead to cervical instability.

At their origins the crura are tendinous in structure, and blend with the anterior longitudinal ligament of the vertebral column.

The anterior longitudinal ligament is a ligament that runs down the anterior surface of the spine.

This short ligament forms the continuation of the anterior longitudinal ligament and stretches over the sacrococcygeal symphysis.

The mesh is strongly attached at two points: namely the uterus/cervix and the anterior longitudinal ligament over the sacral promontory.

Anterior longitudinal ligament (ligamentum longitudinale anterius)

Herniations usually occur posterolaterally, where the annulus fibrosis is relatively thin and is not reinforced by the posterior or anterior longitudinal ligament.

Posteriorly, it is separated from the lumbar vertebræ and intervertebral fibrocartilages by the anterior longitudinal ligament and left lumbar veins.

The ligament is more narrow at the vertebral bodies and wider at the intervertebral disc space which is more pronounced than the anterior longitudinal ligament.

The anterior sacrococcygeal ligament is an extension of the anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) that run down the anterior side of the vertebral bodies.

It may be anticipated that with anterior cage insertion (ALIF) damage to the anterior longitudinal ligament and annulus will lead to loss of stability in extension.

Inferiorly, the prevertebral layer blends with the endothoracic fascia peripherally and fuses with the anterior longitudinal ligament centrally at approximately the level of the T3 vertebra.

It is strengthened in the middle line by a rounded cord, which connects the tubercle on the anterior arch of the atlas to the body of the axis, and is a continuation upward of the anterior longitudinal ligament.

A whiplash injury may be the result of impulsive stretching of the spine, mainly the ligament: anterior longitudinal ligament which is stretched or tears, as the head snaps forward and then back again causing a whiplash injury.

The ililumbar ligament strengthen the lumbosacral joint assisted by the lateral lumbosacral ligament, and, like all other vertebral joints, by the posterior and anterior longitudinal ligaments, the ligamenta flava, and the interspinous and supraspinous ligaments.