Ossification Of The Anterior Longitudinal Ligament: Clinical And Embryological Aspect

ABSTRACT

Normal anatomy of vertebral column is extremely vital for weight transmission as well as normal day to dayactivities. Osteogenic outgrowths and ossifications are commonly reported in literature; however, extensiveossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) is a rare finding. During routine undergraduate teachingin the Department of Anatomy, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, we came across ossification inthe ALL of an elderly male skeleton, extending from T9 to L2, with complete bridging between vertebrae T11 -T12as well as L1- L2 and broken (possibly due to bone processing) in region between T9-T10, T10- T11, T12-L1.Ossification was extensive on the right side as compared to the left. Knowledge of such ossification will aid asurgeon during lateral transpsoas approach of vertebral column and prevent complications while performingsurgeries in this region such as lordiosis restoration with ALL release and in placement of hyperlordotic cage etc.