The nature and distribution of the innervation of human supraspinal and interspinal ligaments.
METHODS
To use fresh, human supraspinal and interspinal ligaments and document their innervation.


OBJECTIVE
To characterize the innervation of the human supraspinal and interspinal ligaments.


BACKGROUND
The nature and distribution of the innervation of spinal ligaments remains unknown.


METHODS
Sections of spinal ligaments were labeled with a fluorescent antibody against neurofilament proteins and observed with a confocal microscope.


RESULTS
The ligaments were found to be well innervated. Innervation was equally distributed along the ligament, symmetrically distributed between left and right sides, and more densely distributed in the periphery. Pacinian corpuscles were scattered randomly, close to blood vessels, whereas Ruffini corpuscles were in the periphery, close to the collagen bundles.


CONCLUSIONS
Human supraspinal and interspinal ligaments are well innervated. This innervation might form the basis of neurologic feedback mechanisms for the protection and stability of the spine. These mechanisms might also be important in the development of diseases such as scoliosis.
Jiang
H
H
Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
Russell
G
G
Raso
V J
VJ
Moreau
M J
MJ
Hill
D L
DL
Bagnall
K M
KM
D000328:Adult; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000294:innervation; D006801:Humans; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000166:cytology / Q000294:innervation*; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000737:chemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000737:chemistry; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D010141:Pacinian Corpuscles / Q000737:chemistry; D013131:Spine / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
D016900:Neurofilament Proteins; D003094:Collagen