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Bone: Articular processes
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| A cervical vertebra. (Superior and inferior processes labeled at right.) |
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| A thoracic vertebra. (Superior labeled at top; inferior labeled at bottom.) |
| Latin |
p. articularis inferior vertebrae, p. articularis superior vertebrae, |
| Gray's |
subject #20 97 |
The articular processes or zygapophyses (Greek ζυγον = "yoke" (because it links two vertebrae) + απο = "away" + φυσις = "process") of a vertebra, two superior and two inferior, spring from the junctions of the pedicles and laminæ. These stick out of an end of a vertebra to lock with a zygapophysis on the next vertebra, to make the backbone more stable.
- The superior processes project upward from a lower vertebra, and their articular surfaces are directed more or less backward.
- The inferior processes project downward from a higher vertebra, and their articular surfaces are directed more or less forward and outward.
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