Vertebral arch joint

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The vertebral arch joints (facet joints) are located to the right and left of the spinal canal , close to the base of the transverse processes of the vertebral arch. The lower part of the facet joint is located on the upper articular process. The upper part of the facet joint is located on the lower articular process.

The vertebral arch joints (synonyms: Articulationes processuum articularium - lat. "Joints of the articular processes" or Articulationes zygapophysiales - lat. + Altgr. + Lat. "Paired, balanced joints") serve in addition to the intervertebral disc and the spinal ligaments of the articulated connection of adjacent vertebrae .

anatomy

The articular surfaces of these paired joints lie on the two lower (rear in animals) and the two upper (front) articular processes ( processus articulares ) of successive vertebrae. These are so-called “flat joints” or “facet joints”, in which the movement takes place parallel to the joint surfaces and which are therefore also referred to as “sliding joints”. The vertebral arch joints primarily determine the direction of movement, while intervertebral discs and spinal ligaments primarily limit the range of motion. The spinal nerves emerge from the intervertebral hole in addition to the vertebral arch joints .

Diseases

In the case of whiplash , the vertebral arch joints can be affected. An ossification of the vertebral arch joints caused by wear is called spondylarthrosis . Persistent pain caused by irritation of the vertebral arch joints is called facet syndrome . The therapeutic injection of painkillers and contrast agents into the vertebral arch joints is called facet infiltration .

literature

  • F.-V. Salomon: bone connections . In: Salomon, F.-V. ua (Hrsg.): Anatomie für die Tiermedizin. Enke-Verlag, Stuttgart 2004, pp. 110-147, ISBN 3-8304-1007-7 .