title: Articular tropism and stability of the lumbar spine.
abstract: Lumbar intervertebral joints were subjected to compressive and shear forces calculated to simulate walking with a heavy pack on the back. The joints with articular tropism were found to rotate toward the side of the more oblique facet. The mechanics relating the orientation of the articular facets with joint forces and stability of the lumbar spine are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011312:Pressure; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013131:Spine / Q000503:physiopathology