Facet examples anatomy Facet joints help the spine to bend, twist, and extend in different directions. The facet joints (facets for short) are found in the back. 0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Rosanna Hartline. The Zygapophyseal (Facet) Joints and the Capsular Ligaments of the Spine An official anatomical term, "zygapophyseal joint," is difficult to pronounce and remember. What is facet? Meaning of facet medical term. The zygapophyseal joints extend between the axis (C2) and the first sacral vertebra (S1). whiplash). A Fossa is a depression in a bone that often receives an articulating bone. Fissure: An open slit in a bone that usually houses nerves and blood vessels. Each vertebra has two sets of facet joints In the context of anatomy and physiology, specifically within the chapter on the axial skeleton focusing on the vertebral column, a facet is a smooth, flat surface found on vertebrae where they articulate (connect) with adjacent vertebrae. facet joint capsule - Like other synovial joints in the body, they are surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue that produces synovial fluid to nourish and lubricate the joint. Each spinal motion segment has two facet joints, and the recurrent meningeal nerves innervate each facet joint. A head is a rounded articular projection at the end of a neck of bone. Each vertebra has a number of facets to articulate with its neighbor vertebrae and (in the case of the thoracic vertebrae) ribs. More specifically, they are plane synovial joints between the superior and inferior articular processes on adjoining vertebrae. Gordon Betts et al. This page titled 7. Although these joints enable movement, they also restrict excessive movement such as hyperextension and hyperflexion (i. For example, the left-sided contact between the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae is terms the Left L4/5 facet joint. These functions can be Mar 3, 2025 · Facet joints are pairs of small joints in between the vertebrae in the back of the spine. May 6, 2024 · Facet: A facet is a smooth, flat surface that forms a gliding joint with another flat bone or facet. Here you can learn more about their anatomy and possible conditions affecting the facet joints. " We use the terms "zygapophyseal joints" and "facet joints" as synonyms on this website. A Foramen is a round hole in a bone that allows the passage of vessels and nerves. Crests and ridges Crests can be described as prominent, raised edges of a bone. Facet joints appear to have little influence on the range of side bending (lateral flexion). Examples include the skull's superior and inferior orbital fissures. [1][2] In the lumbar spine, for example, the facet joints function to protect the motion segment from anterior shear forces, excessive rotation and flexion. Jan 26, 2025 · The facet joints, which are a group of synovial, plane joints between the articular processes of two neighboring vertebrae, are also known as zygapophysial joints, zygapophyseal, apophyseal, or Z-joints. Each facet joint is innervated by two small nerves (dually innervated) – paired medial branches of the posterior ramus (dorsal primary rami) of the spinal nerves. Therefore it is universally substituted by the more convenient terms like "Z-joints" or "facet joints. The humerus has a head, as do both the radius and femur. Oct 30, 2023 · The zygapophyseal joints, also called facet joints, are joints of the vertebral column that are classified as joints of the vertebral arches. . Looking for online definition of facet in the Medical Dictionary? facet explanation free. Oct 30, 2023 · Facet The facet is a flat smooth area of the bone which serves as an articular surface. Bone Marking Descriptions The Fissure is a long, cracklike hole in a bone that accommodates blood vessels and nerves. Example: acromial facet of clavicle. These facets are part of the joints that allow for flexibility and movement in the spine. They are of medium thickness and often found at sites where connective tissue connects muscle and bone. The biomechanical function of each pair of facet joints is to guide and limit movement of the spinal motion segment. These joints play a crucial role in the flexibility and stability of the spine. The lower vertebra forms the bottom portion of the facet – this portion is known as the superior articular process (SAP). Facet joints (also called zygapophyseal or apophyseal joints, Latin: articulationes zygapophysiales) are paired articulations between the articular processes (zygapophyses) of two adjacent vertebrae. The zygapophyseal joints are the Apr 8, 2020 · Facet joints are the only synovial joints in the spine and can be involved in a large number of pathological processes including arthropathy, infection, inflammation, trauma and tumour. In this review article, we present a spectrum of pathologies that arise from or involve facet joints that we have … A facet is a smooth, slightly convex or concave articular surface. 6: Bone Markings is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4. Each joint is enclosed by a thin and Dec 20, 2016 · Understanding Spinal Anatomy: Facet Joints The joints in the spinal column are located posterior to the vertebral body (on the backside). The iliac crest is one example. Facet joints, also known as zygapophysial joints, are small, paired synovial joints located between the superior and inferior articular processes of adjacent vertebrae in the vertebral column. e. The upper vertebra forms the top portion of the facet known as the inferior articular process (IAP). Examples may be seen in the vertebrae's facet joints, which allow for spinal flexion and extension. , OpenStax is licensed under "Anatomy and Physiology I Lab" by Victoria Vidal is licensed under Updated 2025. View this video to learn about facet joint function and treatment options for facet joint arthritis. What does facet mean? Attributions "Anatomy and Physiology" by J. Facet: A flat surface that forms a joint with another facet or flat bone. uux fmu wbxwi gxrp vasonhy kao pxrjb opho qacfw idsznecm ihmujq bguh ogoexny jorjo sfpb