Pal, G. P. ; Routal, R. V. (1999) Mechanism of change in the orientation of the articular process of the zygapophyseal joint at the thoracolumbar junction Journal of Anatomy, 195 (2). pp. 199-209. ISSN 0021-8782
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Official URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1469-...
Related URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1469-7580.1999.19520199.x
Abstract
The orientation of the superior articular processes in thoracic and lumbar vertebrae differs. The present study was undertaken to investigate the possible mechanism for the change from a posterolaterally facing superior articular surface in the thoracic region to a posteromedially facing curved articular surface in the lumbar region. The material of the study consisted of dry macerated bones of 44 adult human vertebral columns. The orientation of the superior articular process and its relation to the mamillary tubercle (process) was examined between T9 and L5 vertebrae in each column. An abrupt change from the thoracic to lumbar type of articular process was observed in 3 columns (7%). Forty-one (93%) columns showed a gradual change extending over either 2 or 3 successive vertebrae. The present study suggests that the change in the orientation of the superior articular process, from the coronal to the sagittal plane (sagittalisation), occurs due to the change in the direction of weight transmission through zygapophyseal joints at the thoracolumbar junction. It was observed that the gradual sagittalisation of the superior articular process in the transitional zone brought it close to the mamillary tubercle which eventually fused with it. Thus the study suggests that the characteristic posteromedially facing concave superior articular process of lumbar vertebrae may have formed because of the fusion of the articular process and the mamillary tubercle.
Item Type: | Article |
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Source: | Copyright of this article belongs to Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland. |
Keywords: | Spine; Vertebrae; Mamillary Tubercle; Multifidus Muscle; Low Back Pain |
ID Code: | 24636 |
Deposited On: | 29 Nov 2010 10:12 |
Last Modified: | 17 May 2016 08:17 |
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