Nowitzke A, Westaway M, Bogduk N
Cervical Spine Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Newcastle, Australia.
Clin Biomech (Bristol). 1994 Nov;9(6):342-8. doi: 10.1016/0268-0033(94)90063-9.
The relationship was examined between the height and slope of the cervical zygapophyseal joints and the patterns of motion of the cervical vertebrae. The height and orientation of the C3C7 superior articular processes were measured in lateral radiographs of 40 normal subjects. The C4-C6 facets were oriented at approximately 40° to the vertical, while the C3 and C7 facets were more steeply oriented. The heights of the superior articular processes were found to increase at progressively lower vertebral levels. Contrary to published views, the slope of the superior articular facets has no bearing on the pattern of motion of the cervical vertebrae. No relationship was found between slope of the facets and the location of the instantaneous axes of rotation of the cervical vertebrae. In contrast the height of the articular processes was perfectly related to the location of the axes of rotation. Articular height, but not slope, is a major determinant of the patterns of motions of the cervical vertebrae. This study provides data necessary to confirm or deny the putative roles of the cervical zygapophyseal joints in determining motion of the cervical spine in the sagittal plane.
研究了颈椎关节突关节的高度和坡度与颈椎运动模式之间的关系。在40名正常受试者的侧位X线片中测量了C3-C7上关节突的高度和方向。C4-C6关节面与垂直线成约40°角，而C3和C7关节面的方向更陡。发现上关节突的高度在逐渐降低的椎体水平上增加。与已发表的观点相反，上关节面的坡度与颈椎的运动模式无关。未发现关节面坡度与颈椎瞬时旋转轴位置之间的关系。相比之下，关节突的高度与旋转轴的位置完全相关。关节突高度而非坡度是颈椎运动模式的主要决定因素。本研究提供了必要的数据，以证实或否定颈椎关节突关节在确定颈椎矢状面运动中的假定作用。
