Histological study on the ossification of the yellow ligaments of the autopsied specimens.

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The yellow ligaments of the thoraco-lumbar spines of the ten autopsied cadavers were investigated histopathologically and rentgenographically by making sagittal and transverse specimens of the spines, to clarify the mechanism of the ossification of the yellow ligament (OYL).Rentgenographic findings revealed that OYLs including minimal ossification were recognized in 98% of the yellow ligament. The ossification tended to become larger in accordance with the cadavers' age.Histologically, small ossification sites at the insertion of the ligament on the inferior surface of the upper lamina, which could not be detected rentgenographically, were demonstrated in some cases. Moreover, four corners of the sagittally sectioned yellow ligament, namely, ventral and dorsal margins of the ligament attached to the inferior and superior surfaces of the laminae were the predominant ossified areas. These findings suggest that the ossification is due to the distraction stress suffered by the yellow ligament.
西日本整形・災害外科学会の論文