Articular processes

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Bone: Articular processes
Image:Processusarticularissuperiorvertebrae.png
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.

See also

• Zygapophyseal joint
• Pars interarticularis

Additional images

Cervical vertebra

Median sagittal section of two lumbar vertebræ and their ligaments.

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 As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated.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	Suprasternal notch, Manubrium, Sternal angle, Body of sternum, Xiphisternal joint, Xiphoid process
Rib	specific ribs (1, 2, 9, 10, 11, 12, false - 8-12, floating - 11-12) - parts (Angle, Tubercle, Costal groove, Neck, Head)
General vertebral structures	body of vertebra, vertebral arch (pedicle, lamina, vertebral notch), foramina (vertebral, intervertebral), processes (transverse, articular / zygapophysis, spinous)
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

it:processo articolare

hu:Processus articularis inferior vertebrae