Facet Joint Anatomy

Over time facet joints are particularly prone to wear and tear and eventually degenerative disease such as osteoarthritis particularly if there had been a traumatic incident at some point. Gross anatomy they are symmetrical synovial lined joints with a fibrous capsule.

Figure 1 From Characterization Of Facet Joint Cartilage

Facet joint anatomy video.

Facet joint anatomy. The joints in the spinal column are located posterior to the vertebral body on the backside. 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. The facet joints are situated between the pedicle and lamina of the same vertebra and form the articular pillars that act to provide structural stability to the vertebral column as a whole.

Although these joints enable movement they also restrict excessive movement such as hyperextension and hyperflexion ie. There are two facet joints in each spinal motion segment and each facet joint is innervated by the recurrent meningeal nerves. This video describes spine anatomy facet joint function and treatment options for facet joint arthritis.

Facet joints help the spine to bend twist and extend in different directions. This means each joint is surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue and produces a fluid to nourish and lubricate the joint. The joint surfaces are coated with cartilage allowing joints to move or glide smoothly articulate against each other.

These joints allow flexion bend forward. Together with the disc the bilateral facet joints transfer loads and guide and constrain motions in the spine due to their geometry. Facet joints of the spines anatomy.

Facet joints also known as apophyseal or zygapophyseal joints are the articulations of the posterior arch of the vertebrae and form part of the posterior column.

File Facet Joints Anatomy Jpg Wikimedia Commons