Which ligament limits extension (negative x)?

Prepare for your Movement Science Midterm Test with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Boost your exam readiness!

Extending the spine stretches tissues that run along the front of the vertebral column, and the one that resists this backward bending is the anterior longitudinal ligament. This ligament runs along the entire front surface of the vertebral bodies, from the sacrum up to the skull, and it becomes taut during extension to prevent hyperextension and anterior overload of the discs and joints.

In contrast, the posterior longitudinal ligament sits inside the spinal canal along the back of the vertebral bodies and primarily limits flexion, helping prevent excessive forward bending. The ligamenta flava connect adjacent laminae and contribute to control of flexion and aid in returning the spine to an upright position after bending forward. The alar ligaments secure the dens to the skull and mainly limit rotation and certain lateral movements, not extension.