yellow ligament

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lig·a·men·ta fla·'va

[TA]

paired ligaments of yellow elastic fibrous tissue, which bind together the laminae of adjoining vertebrae, forming the posterior wall of the vertebral canal between the vertebra or laminae; penetration of the ligamentum flavum with a trocar during epidural or spinal puncture produces a distinct feel ("pop"), letting the practitioner know that the tip of the trocar has entered the epidural space.

Synonym(s): yellow ligament

yellow ligament

One of the ligaments connecting the laminae of adjacent vertebrae.