Articular processes

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Bone: Articular processes
A cervical vertebra. (Superior and inferior processes labeled at right.)
A thoracic vertebra. (Superior labeled at top; inferior labeled at bottom.)
Latin	p. articularis inferior vertebrae, p. articularis superior vertebrae,
Gray's	subject #20 97

The articular processes or zygapophyses (Greek ζυγον = "yoke" (because it links two vertebrae) + απο = "away" + φυσις = "process") of a vertebra, two superior and two inferior, spring from the junctions of the pedicles and laminæ. These stick out of an end of a vertebra to lock with a zygapophysis on the next vertebra, to make the backbone more stable.

• The superior processes project upward from a lower vertebra, and their articular surfaces are directed more or less backward.
• The inferior processes project downward from a higher vertebra, and their articular surfaces are directed more or less forward and outward.

The articular surfaces are coated with hyaline cartilage.

[edit] See also

• Zygapophyseal joint
• Pars interarticularis

[edit] Additional images

Cervical vertebra

Median sagittal section of two lumbar vertebræ and their ligaments.

[edit] External links

• Bioweb at UWLAX aplab
• Atlas of anatomy at UMich back_bone28 - "Lumbar Vertebral Column, Posterolateral View"
• SUNY Figs 02:01-09 - "Superior and lateral views of typical vertebrae."
• articular+process at eMedicine Dictionary
• Photo of model at Waynesburg College skeleton2/inferiorarticularprocess
• Photo of model at Waynesburg College skeleton2/superiorarticularprocess

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.

v • d • e Bones of torso (TA A02.2,3, GA 2.96-128) Sternum Suprasternal notch, Manubrium, Sternal angle, Body of sternum, Xiphisternal joint, Xiphoid process Rib specific ribs (1, 2, 9, 10, 11, 12, true – 1–7, false – 8–12, floating – 11–12) · parts (Angle, Tubercle, Costal groove, Neck, Head) Superior thoracic aperture · Inferior thoracic aperture · Intercostal space · Thoracic wall/Thoracic cage Vertebra General structures body of vertebra, vertebral arch (pedicle, lamina, vertebral notch), foramina (vertebral, intervertebral), processes (transverse, articular/zygapophysis, spinous), spinal canal Cervical vertebrae C1 (anterior arch, posterior arch, lateral mass), C2 (dens), C3, C4, C5, C6, C7 anterior tubercle, posterior tubercle, foramen transversarium Thoracic vertebrae T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, T9, T10, T11, T12 costal facets (superior, inferior, transverse) Lumbar vertebrae accessory process, mammillary process, L5 Sacrum pelvic surface (anterior sacral foramina), dorsal surface (posterior sacral foramina, median sacral crest, medial sacral crest, lateral sacral crest), lateral surface (sacral tuberosity), base, sacral hiatus · presacral space · sacral promontory · sacral canal  · ala of sacrum · sacrovertebral angle Coccyx

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