Inferior A Anterior Superior articular process Pars interarticularis
Transverse process
Pedicle Lamina
Spinous process
Transverse process
Inferior articular facet
Vertebral body C
B
Figure 5.3 (A) The vertebral body is the anterior portion of the vertebra. The neural arch is the posterior portion of the vertebra and includes the pedicles and the posterior elements. (B) The posterior elements include the bilateral laminae, the articular processes, the central spinous process, and the transverse processes (one on each side). (C) The pars interarticularis is the portion of the laminae between the articular processes. The facet joints are at the end of the superior and inferior articular processes. (From Levangie P, Norkin C. Joint Structure and Function: A Comprehensive Analysis, 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: F. A. Davis Company, 2011: p. 142, with permission.)
Pedicle
Vertebral foramen
Posterior articular process
Transverse process
Vertebral body
Clinical Connection 5.1 (Continued)
and can result in symptoms ranging from discomfort and hypermobility from overstretched posterior liga- ments and joint capsules to sensory changes and motor weakness from compression on spinal nerves or the spinal cord. The percent of slippage is measured on a radiograph. Symptoms often respond to core sta- bilization exercises and stretching of shortened soft tissue. Large degrees of slippage may require surgical intervention before the patient can begin rehabilitative exercises.
