Supraspinous ligament

The supraspinous ligament is a ligament that runs vertically down the length of the spine, from the second vertebra to the sacrum bone in the pelvis.

The upper part of the supraspinous ligament above the seventh cervical vertebra in the neck is called the nuchal ligament. Gray's Anatomy considers the supraspinous ligament to end at the seventh cervical vertebra - irregardless of the names, the supraspinous ligament and the nuchal ligament are two sections of the same ligament which binds the entire vertebral column.

The supraspinous ligament is one of many ligaments that hold the vertebral column together while allowing it to bend and flex.

Attachments
The supraspinous ligament attaches to each vertebra at the tip of the spinous process - the bony protrusion that can be felt on the back.

Word origin
Supraspinous means above the spine, referring to the ligament's position at the top of the spine.