Facet orientation in the thoracolumbar spine: three-dimensional anatomic and biomechanical analysis.
METHODS
Thoracolumbar facet orientations were measured and analyzed.


OBJECTIVE
To establish a comprehensive database for facet orientation in the thoracolumbar vertebrae and to determine the normal human condition.


BACKGROUND
Most studies on facet orientation have based their conclusions on two-dimensional measurements, in small samples or isolated vertebrae. The amount of normal asymmetry in facet orientation is poorly addressed.


METHODS
Transverse and longitudinal facet angles were measured directly from 240 human vertebral columns (males/females, blacks/whites). The specimens' osteologic material is part of the Hamann-Todd Osteological Collection housed at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History (Cleveland, OH). A total of 4,080 vertebrae (T1-L5) from the vertebral columns of individuals 20 to 80 years of age were measured, using a Microscribe three-dimensional apparatus (Immersion Co., San Jose, CA). Data were recorded directly on computer software. Statistical analysis included paired t tests and analysis of variance. RESULTS.: Facet orientation is independent of gender, age, and ethnic group. Asymmetry in facet orientation is found in the thorax. All thoracolumbar facets are positioned in an oblique plane. In the transverse plane, all facets from T1 to T11 are positioned with an anterior inclination of approximately 25 degrees to 30 degrees from the frontal plane. The facets of T12-L2 are oriented closer to the midsagittal plane of the vertebral body (mean range, 25.89 degrees-33.87 degrees), while the facets of L3-L5 are oriented away from that plane (mean range, 40.40 degrees-56.30 degrees). Facet transverse orientation at the thoracolumbar junction is highly variable (approximately 80% with approximately 101 degrees and approximately 20% with 35 degrees). All facets are oriented more vertically from T1 (approximately 150 degrees) to L5 (approximately 170 degrees). The facet sagittal orientations of the lumbar zygoapophyseal joints are not equivalent. CONCLUSIONS.: Asymmetry in facet orientation is a normal characteristic in the thorax.
Tel-Aviv University, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Professions, Department of Physical Therapy, Tel-Aviv, Israel. yossefm@post.tau.ac.il
Youssef
Y
Masharawi
Bruce
B
Rothschild
Gali
G
Dar
Smadar
S
Peleg
Dror
D
Robinson
Ella
E
Been
Israel
I
Hershkovitz
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D044383:Black People; D019992:Databases as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D044465:White People; D021801:Zygapophyseal Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology*