Orthopedics - Oleksa A.P. 2006

Congenital Spinal Deformities
Anomalies of the Articular Processes of the Vertebrae

Anomalies of the articular processes are most commonly observed in the lumbar spine (L5-S1). I.L. Tager and V.F. Kupriyanov distinguish the following variants of these process anomalies: 1) abnormal orientation of the facets relative to the sagittal plane of the vertebral body;

2) Rotation of the longitudinal axis of the facet relative to the longitudinal axis of the vertebra; 3) anomalies in the size of the process or its facet; 4) Articulation of the apex of the articular process with the arch of the adjacent vertebra; 5) absence of articular processes.

As a result of these articular process anomalies, a varying degree of functional insufficiency of the spine occurs, leading to a disruption of its static equilibrium. This, in turn, can cause spinal deformities and localized pain. The pain arises when deforming arthrosis develops between the contacting articular processes due to a violation of the congruence of their articular surfaces.



Last update: 10/08/2026

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