Joints of Lumbar Spine

Question 1

Name the two joints of the lumbar spine

Answer 1

Zygapophyseal (facet) Joint

Intervetebral Joint

Question 2

Zygaopophyseal (facet) joint

Bones, classification, movement, ligaments, other stuctures

Answer 2

Bones: Superior articular process and inferior articular process
Classification: synovial plane
Movement: Gliding
Ligaments: Ligamentum Flavum, Interspinous, Suprapinous, Intertransverse
Other structure: Thin joint capsule

Question 3

Intervetebral Joint
(Bones, classification, movement, ligaments, other stuctures)

Answer 3

Bones - between two lumbar vertebral bodies
Classification - Secondarly cartilaginous
Movement - Little
Ligaments - Posterior Longitudinal Ligament, Anterior Longitudinal Ligament
Other stuctures - Intervetebral Disc

Question 4

What are the two layers of IVD, and its function

Answer 4

Annulus Fibrosus (outer layer)
Nucleus Pulposus
Function: weight bearing and strength

Question 5

Ligamentum Flavum
(Attachment and function)

Answer 5

Connects lamina of adjacent vertebra

Limits seperation of lamina between vertebra (flexion) to help prevent disc injuries

Question 6

Interspinous Ligament 
(Attachment and function)

Answer 6

Attaches between adjoining spinout process from root to apex

Weak, membranous ligament

Question 7

Supraspinous Ligmanet

Answer 7

Connects to the tips of spinous processes

Stong, found from sacrum to C7

Question 8

Intertransverse

Answer 8

Between transverse of adjoining vertebra

Thin and membranous, in lumbar region only.

Question 9

Anterior Longitudinal Ligament

Answer 9

Broad band
Connects bodies and discs together
From sacrum to C1
Limiters hyperextension of vertebral column

Question 10

Posterior Longitundinal Ligament

Answer 10

More narrow than PLL
Located within vertebral canal (anterior wall of vertebral cannal)
Mainly attaches to IVDs, some attachment to vetebral bodies
Helps prevent posterior herniated discs, weaky limits hyperflexion of vertebral column