Facet joint - wikipedia Facet joint Facet joint A thoracic vertebra. The facet joint is the joint between the inferior articular process ( labeled at bottom ) and the superior articular process ( labeled at top ) of the subsequent vertebra. Median sagittal section of two lumbar vertebrae and their ligaments Details Identifiers Latin Articulationes zygapophysiales MeSH A02. 835.583. 979 Dorlands / Elsevier a_64 / 12161688 TA A03. 2.06. 001 FMA 71382 Anatomical terminology ( edit on Wikidata ) Illustration highlighting facet joint articulation between two vertebrae This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. ( March 2016 ) 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. The biomechanical function of each pair of facet joints is to guide and limit movement of the spinal motion segment. In the lumbar spine, for example, the facet joints function to protect the motion segment from anterior shear forces, excessive rotation and flexion. Facet joints appear to have little influence on the range of side bending ( lateral flexion ). These functions can be disrupted by degeneration, dislocation, fracture, injury, instability from trauma, osteoarthritis, and surgery. In the thoracic spine the facet joints function to restrain the amount of flexion and anterior translation of the corresponding vertebral segment and function to facilitate rotation. Cavitation of the synovial fluid within the facet joints is responsible for the popping sound ( crepitus ) associated with manual spinal manipulation, commonly referred to as `` cracking the back. '' The facet joints, both superior and inferior, are aligned in a way to allow flexion and extension, and to limit rotation. This is especially true in the lumbar spine. Contents 1 Facet joint arthritis 1.1 Diagnosis 1.2 Treatment 2 Etymology 3 See also 4 References 5 External links Facet joint arthritis In large part due to the mechanical nature of their function, all joints undergo degenerative changes with the wear and tear of age. This is particularly true for joints in the spine, and the facet joint in particular. This is commonly known as facet joint arthritis or facet arthropathy. Diagnosis Facet joint arthritis often manifests as a dull ache across the back. However like many deep organs of the body it can be experienced by the patient in a variety of referral pain patterns. The location of facet joints, deep in the back and covered with large tracts of paraspinal muscles, further complicate the diagnostic approach. Typically facet joint arthritis is diagnosed with specialized physical examination by specialist physicians. Advanced imaging such as MRI or CT may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis and to rule out other conditions. Treatment Illustration depicting facet joint block Conservative treatment of facet joint arthritis involves chiropractic, physical therapy, or osteopathic medicine with correction of posture and biomechanics being the key. More advanced cases involving severe inflammatory response in the Z - joint, not unlike a swollen arthritic knee. Steroid injections may provide temporary pain relief. This is typically performed under image guidance to ensure accuracy given the complex shape and deep location of the facet. Etymology Ancient Greek : zygon ( `` yoke '' ) + apo ( `` out / from '' ) + phyein ( `` grow '' ) See also Articular processes Artificial facet replacement Facet joint injection Facet syndrome References Jump up ^ NASS on facet joint injections External links Diagram at spineuniverse.com Diagram at necksurgery.com Emedicine article on Lumbosacral Facet Syndrome Joints and ligaments of torso Vertebral Syndesmosis Of vertebral bodies anterior longitudinal ligament posterior longitudinal ligament Of vertebral arches ligamenta flava supraspinous ligament nuchal ligament interspinous ligament intertransverse ligament Symphysis intervertebral disc ( anulus fibrosus nucleus pulposus ) Synovial joint Atlanto - axial Medial : Cruciate ligament of atlas ( Transverse ligament of atlas ) Alar ligament Apical ligament of dens Tectorial membrane of atlanto - axial joint Lateral : no ligaments anterior atlantoaxial ligament posterior atlantoaxial ligament Zygapophysial no ligaments Lumbosacral iliolumbar ligament Sacrococcygeal anterior sacrococcygeal ligament posterior sacrococcygeal ligament Thorax Costovertebral Head of rib Radiate ligament Intra-articular ligament Costotransverse Costotransverse ligament Lumbocostal ligament Sternocostal interarticular sternocostal ligament radiate sternocostal ligaments costoxiphoid ligaments Interchondral no ligaments Costochondral no ligaments Pelvis Syndesmoses of pelvic girdle Obturator membrane Obturator canal Pubic symphysis superior pubic ligament inferior pubic ligament Sacroiliac anterior sacroiliac ligament posterior sacroiliac ligament interosseous sacroiliac ligament ligaments connecting the sacrum and ischium : sacrotuberous ligament sacrospinous ligament Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Facet_joint&oldid=716699495 '' Categories : Bones of the vertebral column Joints Joints of the head and neck Hidden categories : Medicine infobox template using Dorlands parameter Articles lacking in - text citations from March 2016 All articles lacking in - text citations All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from March 2016 Articles containing Ancient Greek - language text Talk Contents About Wikipedia Deutsch Español فارسی Français Русский Svenska Edit links This page was last edited on 23 April 2016, at 08 : 45. 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Question: the zygapophyseal joints of the vertebral column are classified as
Answer: synovial, plane