Facet Joints Flashcards
What is the articulation of a Zygapophyseal joint between?
Inferior facet of the superior vertebra and superior facet of inferior vertebra
What is the purpose of the capsular ligament of the zygapophyseal joints?
Increase stability
Where are the capsular ligaments biggest and why? (Reference?)
Cervical region
?Due to highest range of movement
(Winkelstein et al., 2000)
How much of the spinal load do the facet joints carry during axial compression?
3-25%
What is the arterial supply to the facet joints?
Vertebral arteries
Deep cervical arteries
Ascending pharyngeal arteries
Superior intercostal arteries
What is the venous drainage of the facet joints?
Intervertebral veins
Internal vertebral plexus
What muscles attach to the facet joints and what point of the joint do they attach to?
Multifidus
Semispinalis capitis
Attach to joint capsule
What receptors are found in the facet joint capsules? (References?)
Nociceptors and low-threshold mechanoreceptors
Persson et al., 2016; Gunter et al., 2001
Apart from the facet joints, what other facets exist in the vertebral column?
Facet for dens (on posterior surface of anterior arch of atlas)
Transverse costal facet for rib tubercle (on transverse processes of thoracic vertebrae)
Inferior and superior costal facets for head of ribs (on thoracic vertebral bodies)
What is the shape and structure of the superior facets of the atlas?
Concave Elongated and kidney-shaped Direction: - Superior - Medial - Posterior
Why is the superior facet of the atlas not considered a ‘true’ facet joint?
It articulates with the convex occipital condyles
What movements does the superior facet joint of the atlas permit?
Flexion and extension of head (YES movement - nodding)
What is the shape and structure of the inferior facet of the atlas?
Relatively flat Smaller and rounder than superior facet of C1 Direction: - Inferior - Medial
What movements does the inferior facet of C1 permit?
Rotation (NO movement)
What are the references for the facet joints of the atlas?
Singh, 1965
White and Panjabi, 1990
Kakarla et al., 2010
What is the shape and structure of the superior articular facet of C2?
Large (allows transmission of weight of head to body of C2)
Slightly convex
Face superolaterally
What movement does the superior articular facet of C2 allow?
Gliding during rotation (NO movement)
What is the shape and structure of the inferior facets of C2?
Slightly concave
Face inferoanteriorly
What is the reference for the articular facets of C2?
Palastanga et al., 2012
What ligaments act as atlanto-occipital stabilisers?
Nuchal ligament
Anterior atlanto-occipital membrane
Posterior atlanto-occipital membrane
What forms the cruciate ligament?
Transverse ligament of atlas
Longitudinal bands superiorly and inferiorly
What does the tectorial membrane continue as?
Posterior longitudinal ligament
What ligaments act as atlantoaxial stabilisers?
Cruciate ligament
Apical ligament
Alar ligament
Tectorial membrane
What is the shape and orientation of the superior facets of C3-C7?
Convex
Oriented:
- Superolaterally
- Posteriorly
What is the shape and orientation of the inferior facets of C3-C7?
Concave
Oriented:
- Inferomedially
- Anteriorly
How does the orientation of the facet joints change as the cervical spine is descended?
Become more vertical
C7 facets face more anteriorly than inferiorly
What features of the facet joints in C3-C7 allow a wide range of movement? (Reference?)
Joints oriented ~45 degrees from transverse plane
Thing and flexible joint capsule
(Gellhorn et al., 2013)
What is the nerve innervation to facet joints in the cervical spine? (Reference?)
Medial branches of corresponding dorsal cervical rami
E.g. C5/C6 facet innervates by C5 and C6 dorsal rami
(Binder and Nampiaparampil, 2009)
In what direction are the facets of thoracic vertebrae elongated?
Vertically
What is the shape and direction of the superior facets of thoracic vertebrae?
Convex
Directed posterolaterally
What is the shape and direction of the inferior facets of thoracic vertebrae?
Concave
Directed anteromedially
What are the inclinations of the articular facets of thoracic vertebrae?
Inclined 60 degrees from transverse plane
Inclined 20 degrees in coronal plane (posteriorly)