The ligament extends inferolaterally from its medial attachment,[1] radiating laterally.[2] It represents the thickened inferior border of anterior and middle layers of thoracolumbar fascia. Inferiorly, the ligament is partially continuous with the lumbosacral ligament[1] (which may be considered an inferior subdivision of the iliolumbar ligament).[3]
The ligament's medial attachment is at the apex[4][2] and anteroinferior aspect of the transverse processoflumbar vertebra L5 (and occasionally an additional weak attachment at the transverse process of L4).[2]
Laterally, the ligament attaches onto the posterior part of the inner lip of the iliac crest.[1] More precisely, its lateral attachment is by two main bands:[2]
the inferior band (extending from the inferior aspect of transverse process and body of L5) extends across the anterior sacroiliac ligament (and intermingling with it[5][obsolete source]) to attach onto the posterior border of the iliac fossa.[2]
A vertical component of the inferior band extends to the posterior portion of the iliopectineal line.[2]
A posterior component of the inferior band extends posterior to the quadratum lumborum muscle to attach onto the ilium.[2]
During in newborns and children, this structure is in fact muscular; the muscle tissue is then gradually replaced by ligamentous tissue until the fifth decade of life.[2]
Occasionally, a small ligamentous band stretches from the apex of transverse process of L4 inferior-ward to the iliac crest posterior to the main ligament; usually, fibrous strands are found between this latter process and the iliac crest, but these are only considered a true ligament when dense enough.[1]
^ abcdePalastanga N, Soames R (2012). Anatomy and Human Movement: Structure and Function. Physiotherapy Essentials (6th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier. pp. 283–284. ISBN978-0-7020-3553-1.