Morphometric and Morphological Study of Articular Facets of the Thoracolumbar Vertebral Column in North Indian Population.
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Date
2015-07
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Abstract
Background: The articular processes of thoracolumbar vertebral column play an important role in weight
transmission and determining the range and direction of movements between any two vertebrae. Size of these
facets has been correlated with the magnitude of stress imposed on them.
Purpose of study: The present study has been conducted on the articular processes of 510 vertebrae (thoracic:
360; lumbar:150) with the aim to provide high quality data sets for constructing the models of spine to study
mechanics of spinal instrumentation. The length , width and the distance between the right & left superior &
inferior articular processes have been measured with the vernier callipers. The presence/ absence of mamillary
tubercle has been observed in the present study.
Results: The length of thoracic SAFs was almost same at all levels whereas that of the lumbar SAFs increased
gradually from L1-L5. However the width showed a variable trend. In case of thoracic IAFs both these parameters
showed a variable trend. Whereas in lumbar region, these increased gradually from L1-L5. The distance between
two inferior articular processes was more than that between two superior articular processes at almost all
levels except T1-T3 & L1-L4 where reverse was true. The mamillary tubercle/process was altogether absent from
T-1 to T-8. From T-9 to T-11, the number of vertebral column showing mamillary tubercle increased from 4-19.
However at T-12, it was seen in 29 Vertebral columns. In lumbar region, it was well developed in all vertebrae
and termed as mamillary process.
Conclusion: The measurements obtained by present study reveals the importance of articular facets in
understanding basic spinal mechanics and its application with respect to weight transmission.
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Keywords
Superior articular facet, Inferior articular facet, Mamillary process, weight transmission
Citation
Gupta Rimpi, Singla Rajan, Agnihotri Gaurav, Kumari Reenu, Goyal Deepak. Morphometric and Morphological Study of Articular Facets of the Thoracolumbar Vertebral Column in North Indian Population. International Journal of Anatomy and Research. 2015 Jul-Sep; 3(3): 1354-1361.