Joints of Lower Cervical Spin C3-C7

Joints of lower cervical spine

Zygapophyseal joints, interbody joints and uncovertebral joints

Zygapophyseal joint classification

Synovial multiaxial plane

Zygapophyseal joint articular surfaces

Inferior articular facet of vertebra above and superior articular facet of vertebra below

Zygapophyseal joint orientation

Orientated in an almost transverse plane - titled from coronal plane

Movements of zygapophyseal joints

Large range of flexion and extension of neck, lateral flexion and rotation of neck coupled ipsilaterally

Interbody joint classification

Secondary cartilaginous

Interbody joint articular surfaces

Inferior surface of vertebral body above and superior surface of vertebral body below

Interbody joint nucleus pulposus

Very small and disappears by early adulthood, decreased weight bearing role

Interbody joint annulus pulposus

Thinner posteriorly - supported lordotic curvature, less structured and presence of horizontal fissures developed during adolescence - large rom

Uncovertebral joint classification

Synovial

Uncovertebral joint articular surfaces

Lateral aspect of inferior surface of vertebral body above, uncinate process of vertebra below

Uncovertebral joint features

Develop as annulus fibrosis of ivds degenerate, large rom