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
Dorlands/Elsevier	p_34/12667306

The articular processes (zygapophyses) of a vertebra, two superior and two inferior, spring from the junctions of the pedicles and laminæ.

• 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

[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."
• Dictionary at eMedicine articular+process
• 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 As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.

v • d • e Bones of torso

sternum: manubrium, body of sternum, xiphoid process, suprasternal notch rib: first rib, tenth rib, eleventh rib, twelfth rib, floating rib, false ribs, angle, tubercle, costal groove, neck, head general vertebral structures: body of vertebra, vertebral arch (pedicle, lamina, vertebral notch), foramina (vertebral, intervertebral), processes (transverse, articular, spinous) cervical vertebrae: C1 (anterior arch, posterior arch, lateral mass), C2 (dens), C7, anterior tubercle, posterior tubercle, foramen transversarium thoracic vertebrae: costal facets (superior, inferior, transverse) lumbar vertebrae: accessory process, mammillary process sacrum/coccyx: pelvic surface (anterior sacral foramina, dorsal surface (posterior sacral foramina, median sacral crest, medial sacral crest, lateral sacral crest), lateral surface, base, sacral hiatus