A fan-shaped ligament connecting the anterior surface of each rib head to the bodies of two adjacent vertebrae and their intervening disc, in a radiate arrangement.
Binds the rib head to the vertebral column, preventing anterior rib head displacement during breathing movements.
The radiate ligament is disrupted in rib head fracture-dislocations — the rib head displaces anteriorly into the spinal canal or posteriorly. In anterior thoracic approaches (thoracotomy), the rib head and its radiate ligament are identified as the anterolateral boundary of the vertebral body.
Disruption of the radiate ligament allowing rib head displacement — anteriorly into the spinal canal or posteriorly — producing focal pain and, if displaced into the canal, cord compression requiring reduction.
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