What is the function of the superior and inferior articular processes?
The transverse and spinous processes serve as important muscle attachment sites. A superior articular process extends or faces upward, and an inferior articular process faces or projects downward on each side of a vertebrae.
What type of joint is between the superior and inferior articular processes of vertebrae?
synovial joint
Also known as the zygapophyseal or apophyseal joint, is a synovial joint between the superior articular process of one vertebra and the inferior articular process of the vertebra directly above it. There are two facet joints in each spinal motion segment.
Where do you feel facet joint pain?
Typically, facet joint pain feels like a dull ache, localized to one area of the spine. The pain may be experienced on one or both sides, and often in the lower back or neck. Movements toward the affected joint will cause pain.
What does the inferior articular process articulate with to make a joint?
Articular surfaces on the inferior articular processes. Articulate with the facets on the superior articular processes of the vertebra below to form a zygapophyseal joint. Opening formed by the union of the vertebral body and vertebral arch.
What is the function of the superior articular process?
The functional significance of the articular processes is obviously to limit rotation, which can take place in the lumbar segment of the vertebral column during any asymmetrical movement of the body.
What does the superior articular facet articulate with?
Superior articular facet (Facies articularis superior) is an oval-shaped, concave structure on the superior aspect of the lateral mass. It articulates with an occipital condyle on the underside skull.
What joint is between articular processes?
facet joints
The facet joints, (or zygapophysial joints, zygapophyseal, apophyseal, or Z-joints) are a set of synovial, plane joints between the articular processes of two adjacent vertebrae. There are two facet joints in each spinal motion segment and each facet joint is innervated by the recurrent meningeal nerves.
Which of the following is the strongest and most stable joint?
Ball-and-socket joints are a special class of synovial joints that enjoy the highest freedom of motion in the body thanks to their unique structure.
What is the inferior articular process?
: a process of a vertebra that lies on each side of the neural arch and projects downward and articulates with a superior articular process of the next more caudal vertebra The inferior articular processes have vertical convex articular facets which face anterolaterally. — Gray’s Anatomy, 39th edition, 2005.
What is the difference between the articular process and the articular facet?
The articular processes or zygapophyses (Greek ζυγον = “yoke” (because it links two vertebrae) + απο = “away” + φυσις = “process”) of a vertebra are projections of the vertebra that serve the purpose of fitting with an adjacent vertebra. The actual region of contact is called the articular facet.
Where are the superior and inferior articular processes located?
The superior articular process articulates with the inferior articular process of the vertebrae above. These articulations are known as zyapophysial joints. The articular processes arise from the junction between the laminae and pedicles of the vertebral arch. Regarding this, what is the inferior articular process?
How are synovial joints affected by articular processes?
The synovial joints of the vertebral column are composed of the articular processes of adjoining vertebrae and are subject to degeneration or osteoarthritis as is any other synovial joint.1 Typical radiographic changes include remodeling of the articular processes, osteophytosis, and thinning of the joint space.
What are the articular processes of the lumbar vertebrae?
Inferior Articular Processes. The inferior articular processes of lumbar vertebrae are convex anteriorly and laterally. They possess inferior articular facets that cover their anterolateral surface. As with the superior articular facets, the inferior ones vary in shape.
What are the superior articular processes of the thoracic spine?
Articular Processes. The superior articular processes of the thoracic spine are small superior projections of bone oriented in a plane that lies approximately 60 to 75 degrees to the horizontal plane (25 to 40 degrees to the coronal [frontal] plane) (White & Panjabi, 1990; Masharawi et al., 2004).