Facet joint
(Redirected from Articulationes zygapophyseales)
Facet Joint
The facet joint or zygapophysial joint is a set of synovial, plane joints between the articular processes of two adjacent vertebrae. There are two facet joints in each spinal motion segment. The function of the facet joint is to guide and limit movement of the spinal motion segment.
Etymology[edit | edit source]
The term "facet" comes from the French "facette" (little face), and the term "zygapophysial" comes from the Greek "zygon" (yoke) and "physis" (process).
Anatomy[edit | edit source]
The facet joints are formed by the superior and inferior articular processes of each vertebra. The superior articular process faces upward and the inferior articular process faces downward. The joint is surrounded by a joint capsule and is filled with synovial fluid.
Function[edit | edit source]
The facet joints work together with the intervertebral discs to support the spine and allow for movement. They also prevent excessive movement such as hyperextension or hyperflexion.
Clinical significance[edit | edit source]
Facet joint syndrome, also known as osteoarthritis of the spine, is a common cause of back pain. It is caused by degeneration of the facet joints, which can result in inflammation, swelling, and pain. Treatment options include physical therapy, medication, and in some cases, surgery.
Related terms[edit | edit source]
| Facet joint Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
