Which joint is located at the junction between the last lumbar vertebra and the first sacral segment?

Prepare for the Spinal Anatomy Exam III. Engage with diverse questions, hints, and in-depth explanations. Solidify your understanding of spinal anatomy concepts crucial for excelling in your exam.

Multiple Choice

Which joint is located at the junction between the last lumbar vertebra and the first sacral segment?

The joint at the junction between the last lumbar vertebra and the first sacral segment is the L5–S1 facet joint. Each side forms the zygapophyseal joint by the inferior articular facet of L5 pairing with the superior articular facet of S1. These are synovial plane joints that allow small gliding movements and, because their facets in this region are oriented to favor forward flexion and backward extension with limited rotation, they help control motion and stabilize the lumbosacral junction. There is also an intervertebral disc between L5 and S1, but the question points to the posterior articulation, which is the facet joint. The sacroiliac joint lies between the sacrum and the ilium, not between L5 and S1.

Which joint is located at the junction between the last lumbar vertebra and the first sacral segment?

Prepare for the Spinal Anatomy Exam III. Engage with diverse questions, hints, and in-depth explanations. Solidify your understanding of spinal anatomy concepts crucial for excelling in your exam.

Which joint is located at the junction between the last lumbar vertebra and the first sacral segment?

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