Nuchal ligament

The neck band ( ligamentum nuchae ) is a paired ribbon of elastic connective tissue that serves as a back -side bracing of the cervical spine. It is a continuation of the supraspinal ligament are considered in the neck area. It extends in most mammals from the external occipital protuberance of the occipital bone to the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra. In canids, the neckband begin until the second cervical vertebra.

In humans, the neckband is formed only small. In many animals, it is functionally important for the maintenance of normal head and neck position and relieves the muscles of the neck. In horses and ruminants are divided neck tape, a neck cord ( funiculus nuchae ) and one of them vertically to the vertebrae outgoing neck plate (lamina nuchae ). Cats do not have a neckband, the neck position is stabilized here purely on the neck muscles, which is why muscle diseases manifest themselves quickly in a lowering of the neck and head.

In horses can occur between the neck band and the first two cervical vertebrae neck bursa (Bursa subligamentosa nuchalis cranial and caudal ).

• Band (anatomy)