Where is the facet joint located?

Where is the facet joint located?

facet joints: joints located on the top and bottom of each vertebra that connect the vertebrae to each other and permit back motion.

What is a facet in anatomy?

Video Transcript. Facet joints are pairs of small joints in between the vertebrae in the back of the spine. These joints have opposing surfaces of cartilage, which limits friction between the bones. The joint is surrounded by a capsule filled with a small amount of synovial fluid.

What is your facet?

The facet joints are small, cartilage-lined points of contact where each individual backbone (vertebra) meets the one above and below it. They both enable your spine to flex during movement and also limit its range of motion.

What is a facet and what are its functions?

Function. The biomechanical function of each pair of facet joints is to guide and limit movement of the spinal motion segment. In the lumbar spine, for example, the facet joints function to protect the motion segment from anterior shear forces, excessive rotation and flexion.

Where are the facets located in the back?

Facet joints traverse the entire length of the spine and are located on either side of every vertebrae. As with many joints, facets exist to connect vertebrae together and help facilitate smooth motion throughout the back.

Where does facet joint syndrome most often occur?

In the neck, facet joint syndrome most often occurs at the C4-C5 level. 1 The thoracic spine, or midback, is the least likely region of the spine to be affected by facet joint syndrome. The prevalence of facet pain ranges between 33% and 48% of midback pain cases. 1 What Causes Facet Joint Syndrome?

How to know if you have facet disease?

That said, there are some common symptoms that do occur in patients with facet disease, these include: 1 Throbbing lower back pain that radiates into the buttocks or upper thighs. 2 Pain that goes from the back of the neck out to the shoulders. 3 Bone spurs. 4 Inflammation. 5 Tenderness of certain areas of the spine. 6 (more items)

Why are facets important in the spinal system?

Facet joints are the small, angular joints on either side of the ring-shaped bone surrounding the vertebral bodies. Those joints are important in stabilizing spinal movement. The angle and height of facets and how they sit on the vertebral segment determine the range of motion allowed at the vertebrae.