Which orientation is true for the L5-S1 facet joints?

Which orientation is true for the L5-S1 facet joints?

• A. They face posteriorly and medially
• B. They face anteriorly and laterally
• C. They face superiorly and laterally
• D. They face inferiorly and medially

Answer: (A)

Movement guidance and stability in the lumbar spine come from the way the facet joints are oriented. For the lumbar region, the superior articular facets generally face posteriorly and medially, while the inferior facets face anteriorly and laterally. At the L5–S1 level, this pattern means the joint surfaces align so that the contacting surfaces are directed toward the back and toward the midline. This posteromedial orientation helps restrict rotation and favors sagittal-plane motion (flexion and extension), which is a key design for the lumbosacral junction to handle weight transfer and resist anterior shear. That’s why the true orientation for the L5–S1 facet joints is posteriorly and medially.

Movement guidance and stability in the lumbar spine come from the way the facet joints are oriented. For the lumbar region, the superior articular facets generally face posteriorly and medially, while the inferior facets face anteriorly and laterally. At the L5–S1 level, this pattern means the joint surfaces align so that the contacting surfaces are directed toward the back and toward the midline. This posteromedial orientation helps restrict rotation and favors sagittal-plane motion (flexion and extension), which is a key design for the lumbosacral junction to handle weight transfer and resist anterior shear. That’s why the true orientation for the L5–S1 facet joints is posteriorly and medially.