The nuchal ligament has two parts, the funicular cord like part and the flat lamellar part. The nuchal ligament widens over the withers and then blends with the supraspinous ligament.

The nuchal ligament has two parts, the funicular cord like part and the flat lamellar part. The nuchal ligament widens over the withers and then blends with the supraspinous ligament.

The funicular part of the nuchal ligament begins at the dorsal protuberance to the foramen magnum and continues to the first three thoracic spinous processes, sometimes continuing to the fifth. The nuchal ligament widens over the withers and blends with the supraspinous ligament. The supraspinous ligament becomes gradually thinner as it passes over the sacrum and is not found in the tail. The supraspinous ligament is less elastic than the nuchal ligament and the fibre change is gradual from one to the other.

Most literature lists three bursa that lie between the funicular part of the nuchal ligament and the underlying bone:

• dorsal aspect of the atlas
• spinous processes of the withers T2-4
• dorsal aspect of the axis (this location is sometimes absent)

The funicular part of the nuchal ligament is 2 cords side by side and the lamellar part of the nuchal ligament is 2 sheets side by side, separated by loose connective tissue.