View source for Articular process

{{Short description|Projections of the vertebra}}
{{Infobox bone
| Name        = Articular process
| Latin       = processus articularis inferior vertebrae, <br>processus articularis superior vertebrae
| Image       = Gray84.png
| Caption     = A [[cervical vertebra]]. (Superior and inferior processes labeled at right.)
| Image2      = Gray90.png
| Caption2    = A [[thoracic vertebra]]. (Superior labeled at top; inferior labeled at bottom.)
}}
The '''articular process''' or '''zygapophysis''' ({{Langx|el|ζυγόν|translit=zugón|lit=[[yoke]]}} + [[Tubercle (bone)|apophysis]]) of a [[vertebra]] is a projection of the vertebra that serves the purpose of fitting with an adjacent vertebra. The actual region of contact is called the ''articular facet''.<ref>Moore, Keith L. et al. (2010) ''Clinically Oriented Anatomy'', 6th Ed, p.442 fig. 4.2</ref>

Articular processes spring from the junctions of the [[Pedicle of vertebral arch|pedicles]] and [[Lamina of the vertebral arch|laminæ]], and there are two right and left, and two superior and inferior. These stick out of an end of a [[vertebra]] to lock with a zygapophysis on the next vertebra, to make the [[Vertebral column|backbone]] more stable.

* The superior processes or prezygapophysis project upward from a lower vertebra, and their articular surfaces are directed more or less backward (oblique coronal plane). 
* The inferior processes or postzygapophysis project downward from a higher vertebra, and their articular surfaces are directed more or less forward and outward.

The articular surfaces are coated with [[hyaline cartilage]].

In the cervical vertebral column, the articular processes collectively form the [[articular pillar]]s. These are the bony surfaces palpated just lateral to the spinous processes.

==Additional images==
<gallery>
 Image:Cervical vertebra english.png|Cervical vertebra
 Image:Gray301.png|Median sagittal section of two lumbar vertebræ and their ligaments. 
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Pars interarticularis]]
* [[Zygapophyseal joint]]

==References==
{{Gray's}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{BiowebUW|aplab/Table_of_Contents/Lab_03/Lumbar_1/Lumbar_1b/lumbar_1b.html|aplab}}
*[https://sites.google.com/a/umich.edu/bluelink/curricula/first-year-medical-curriculum/sequence-1-Foundations/session-2-spinal-cord-and-peripheral-nervous-system/bluelink Articular processes]{{Dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} - BlueLink Anatomy - University of Michigan Medical School
* {{UMichAtlas|back_bone28}} - "Lumbar Vertebral Column, Posterolateral View"
* {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|02|01|09}} - "Superior and lateral views of typical vertebrae."
* [[Waynesburg College|Photo of model at Waynesburg College]] ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20070928030604/http://www.waynesburg.edu/depts/ccink/skeleton2/inferiorarticularprocess.jpg skeleton2/inferiorarticularprocess]''
* [[Waynesburg College|Photo of model at Waynesburg College]] ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20070928030354/http://www.waynesburg.edu/depts/ccink/skeleton2/superiorarticularprocess.jpg skeleton2/superiorarticularprocess]''

{{Spine}}
{{Portal bar|Anatomy}}
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[[Category:Bones of the thorax]]


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