The front longitudinal ligament (ligamentum longitudinale anterius) draws on the front surfaces of the bodies of the vertebrae over a wide area from the intestinal side of the sacrum (Os sacrum) to the end of the atlas (tuberculum anterius atlantis), where it ends in narrow dimensions. It has a solid connection with the bodies of the vertebrae.

The rear longitudinal ligament (ligamentum longitudinale posterius) runs on the rear surface of the bodies of the vertebrae and temporarily divides itself up into two separately running layers. It runs to the coccyx and connects up with the rear surfaces of the intervertebral disks, which are therefore secured to a large extent. Consequently, these ligaments have the function of inhibiting movement while protecting the intervertebral disks (discus intervertebralis).

Strong elastic fibrous ligaments (ligamenta flava) connect up two neighboring vertebral arches. They have a yellowish color because of their fibers, which are arranged in the form of a lattice. It is only the intermediate holes that are left open (foramina intervertebralia). Short ligaments stretch between the transverse processes (ligamenta intertransversaria) in the same fashion and short ligaments also stretch between the spines of the vertebrae (ligamenta interspinalia). This produces a continual link between the spine of the vertebrae of the seventh cervical vertebra downwards to the sacrum (os sacrum) through the ligamentum supraspinale.