“Pigs are terrible runners,” he notes, “and Dennis introduced me to an esoteric bit of anatomy that explains why.” Pigs lack a so-called nuchal ligament, an elastic band of tissue that runs from a ridge on the base of the skull to the spine. Horses, dogs, cheetahs, and other good runners have such a ligament.Besides, what are the attachments of the nuchal ligament?
Attachments. Extends from the external occipital protuberance on the skull and median nuchal line, to the spinous process of C7. The deep fibers of the ligament attach to the external occipital crest, the posterior tubercle of the atlas, and to the medial surface of the bifid processes of the other cervical vertebrae.
One may also ask, do dogs have a nuchal ligament? Modern dogs differ from other carnivores in one interesting anatomical feature: they have a “nuchal ligament”, a string-like structure that runs along the dorsal part of their necks and allows them to support the weight of the head with little muscular effort.
Also asked, what is the nuchal ligament?
The nuchal ligament is a ligament at the back of the neck that is continuous with the supraspinous ligament.
What does the Ligamentum Nuchae do?
It is thick and strong, limiting hyperflexion of the neck. In quadriped animals, it is very strong and functions in keeping the neck and head of the animal up. The ligamentum nuchae consists of the dorsal raphe and medial septal parts. The dorsal raphe attaches to muscles while the medial septum does not.
What does Nuchae mean?
noun plural -chae (-kiː) zoology anatomy the back or nape of the neck.What is the nuchal ligament made of?
RESULTS: The nuchal ligament extends from the external occipital protuberance to the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra (C7). It is covered by layers of cervical fascia and the aponeurosis of the trapezius muscle.What is the origin of the trapezius?
The trapezius has multiple origin and insertion points—it's simply too big not to. It originates on the occipital bone, the ligamentum nuchae, and the spinous processes of T01–T12. The trapezius inserts on the lateral third of the clavicle, as well as the acromion and scapular spine of the scapula.What is spinous process?
Spinous process is a bony projection off the posterior (back) of each vertebra. The spinous process protrudes where the laminae of the vertebral arch join and provides the point of attachment for muscles and ligaments of the spine.Where is the nuchal ligament on a horse?
The nuchal ligament is a large elastic structure in the dorsal neck region that supports the horse's head and the neck. It consists of about 80% of elastin fibers and some of collagen fibers.Where is the Supraspinous ligament located?
Structure. The supraspinous ligament connects the tips of the spinous processes from the seventh cervical vertebra to the sacrum. Above the seventh cervical vertebra, the supraspinous ligament is continuous with the nuchal ligament.Where is the interspinous ligament located?
Interspinous ligament. The interspinous ligaments (interspinal ligaments) are thin and membranous ligaments, that connect adjoining spinous processes of the vertebra in the spine. They extend from the root to the apex of each spinous process.Where is the cervical located?
The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae and is located at the base of the skull. Its function is to support the skull, enabling head movements back and forth, and from side to side, as well as protecting the spinal cord.What is nuchal line?
The nuchal lines are four curved lines on the external surface of the occipital bone: The upper, often faintly marked, is named the highest nuchal line, but is sometimes referred to as the Mempin line, and it attaches to the epicranial aponeurosis.What is the nuchal region?
The nuchal region, otherwise known as the posterior region of the neck or the posterior cervical region, is the area at the back of the neck situated deep to the trapezius muscle. Superior: superior nuchal line and external occipital protuberance.Why is posterior longitudinal ligament thicker in thoracic region?
The ligament is thicker in the thoracic than in the cervical and lumbar regions. It weakly prevents hyperflexion of the vertebral column and limits spinal disc herniation, although it is much narrower than the anterior longitudinal ligament, such that spinal disc herniations usually occur in a posterolateral direction.What ligament attaches to the external occipital crest?
nuchal ligament
What is a spine?
The spine, also known as the vertebral column or spinal column, is a column of 26 bones in an adult body — 24 separate vertebrae interspaced with cartilage, and then additionally the sacrum and coccyx.How many cervical vertebrae are there?
seven cervical vertebrae
How many thoracic vertebrae are there?
In humans, there are twelve thoracic vertebrae and they are intermediate in size between the cervical and lumbar vertebrae; they increase in size going towards the lumbar vertebrae, with the lower ones being a lot larger than the upper.Which vertebra does not have a spinous process?
The atlas vertebra has no vertebral body, lacks a spinous process, and has no articular disks superior or inferior to it. On the posterior surface of the anterior bony rim of this vertebra (the anterior edge of the vertebral foramen) there is an oval articulation for the dens (see later) of the axis.What is the external occipital protuberance?
Inferior view. The external occipital protuberance is a raised area on the midline of the occipital bone where the posterior wall meets the base of the skull. It is medial to the two superior nuchal lines. It is at the superior extent of the ligamentum nuchae that connects the cervical vertebrae to the skull. 
