Which structure connects the vertebral bodies of adjacent vertebrae?

The anterior longitudinal ligament is indeed the structure that plays a crucial role in connecting the vertebral bodies of adjacent vertebrae. This ligament runs down the front (anterior side) of the vertebral column, starting from the base of the skull and extending all the way to the sacrum. It serves not only to provide stability to the spine by preventing excessive extension, but it also helps to maintain the alignment of the vertebral bodies, which is vital for proper spinal function and support.

While the intervertebral disc acts as a cushion between vertebrae, allowing for movement and absorbing shock, it is not itself a ligament connecting the bodies; rather, it consists of a nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus that facilitate the connection while allowing flexibility. The posterior longitudinal ligament runs along the back of the vertebral bodies and connects them too, but its primary function is to prevent excessive flexion rather than serving as a direct connection like the anterior longitudinal ligament. The facet joint, on the other hand, is a joint that allows for movement between the vertebrae rather than connecting the bodies directly. Understanding these structures' specific functions clarifies why the anterior longitudinal ligament is correctly recognized as the connector between adjacent vertebral bodies.