Massage Therapy Journal Spring 2025

Spring 2025 • 39

Thoracic Spine Ligaments

Name

Location

Function

Anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) Posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL)

Spans from the sacrum to the cervical spine along the anterior aspect of the vertebral bodies. Spans from the sacrum to the cervical spine along the posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies.

Restricts hyperextension of the spine and reinforces the anterior sacrum.

Restricts hyperflexion of the spine and intervertebral disc herniations.

Supraspinous ligament

Spans from the tips of the spinous processes from the sacrum to C7.

Restricts hyperflexion of the spine.

Interspinous ligament

Spans between the spinous processes from one spinous process above it or below it.

Limits flexion of the spine by reducing separation of the spinous processes.

Ligamentum flavum

Spans between the lamina of one vertebra to another above or below it.

Limits hyperflexion and aids in returning the spine after flexion.

Keeps the head of the ribs in close contact with the vertebral bodies, allowing a small amount of gliding movements. Limits movement of the costotransverse joint while protecting the spinal nerve exiting the transverse foramen.

Radiate ligament of head of rib

Spans from the head of the rib to the bodies of the two vertebrae and intervertebral disc.

Costotransverse ligaments

Spans the neck of the rib and the transverse process.

Range of motion

glenoid fossa is a landmark of the scapula. To create a deeper socket due to the head of the humerus being larger than the glenoid fossa, there is a fibrocartilage rim around the glenoid fossa called the glenoid labrum. The joint is surrounded by a loose joint capsule that allows a tremendous amount of movement, which can make the glenohumeral joint prone to dislocations and injuries. While these ligaments play a role in stabilizing the shoulder joint, much of the shoulder’s stability comes from the surrounding muscles, particularly the rotator cuff muscles. The combination of ligaments and muscles working together allows for the wide range of movements in the glenohumeral joint while also maintaining stability. 5,6

Joint

Movement

Flexion

0-75º 0-25° 0-35º 0-40º

Extension Rotation

Thoracic spine

Lateral flexion

Glenohumeral Joint: Structure and Function

The glenohumeral joint, also known as the shoulder joint, is a ball-and-socket joint that attaches the humerus to the scapula. This joint is the most mobile joint of the body and allows for a wide range of movements, including flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, medial rotation, lateral rotation, horizontal abduction and horizontal adduction. The head of the humerus creates the ball of the joint, and the shallow socket or

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