Engel R, Bogduk N
J Anat. 1982 Dec;135(Pt 4):795-809.
In a study of 82 lumbar zygapophysial joints three types of intra-articular structures were identified. They were adipose tissue pads and fibro-adipose meniscoids, both located at the superior and inferior poles of the joint, and connective tissue rims, located along the dorsal and ventral margins. Every lumbar zygapophysial joint contained at least one of these structures and 47 contained more than one type. Connective tissue rims are short, central projections of the joint capsule and do not enter between the articular surfaces. Adipose tissue pads are covered by synovium and fill the subcapsular space at the superoventral and inferodorsal poles of the joint. Fibro-adipose meniscoids, also covered by synovium, project from the joint capsule at the superior and inferior poles and enter between the articular surfaces. Adipose tissue pads and fibro-adipose meniscoids are probably derived from a common primitive mesenchymal meniscus which primarily differentiates into a fatty structure. The fibrous component of fibro-adipose meniscoids then secondarily develops as a result of compression of the tip of the fatty structure between the articular surfaces. The function of these intra-articular structures is not evident but may be related to protection of the articular processes as they subluxate during flexion and extension. Meniscus entrapment in the lumbar zygapophysial joints has been proposed as a cause of acute locked back, but the present morphological data are inconsistent with this view.
在一项对82个腰椎关节突关节的研究中，识别出了三种关节内结构。它们是脂肪组织垫和纤维脂肪半月板样结构，均位于关节的上极和下极，以及结缔组织边缘，位于背侧和腹侧边缘。每个腰椎关节突关节至少包含这些结构中的一种，47个关节包含不止一种类型。结缔组织边缘是关节囊的短的中央突起，不进入关节面之间。脂肪组织垫被滑膜覆盖，填充关节上腹部和下背部极的囊下间隙。纤维脂肪半月板样结构也被滑膜覆盖，从关节囊的上极和下极突出并进入关节面之间。脂肪组织垫和纤维脂肪半月板样结构可能源自共同的原始间充质半月板，其主要分化为脂肪结构。纤维脂肪半月板样结构的纤维成分随后由于脂肪结构的尖端在关节面之间受到挤压而继发形成。这些关节内结构的功能尚不清楚，但可能与在屈伸过程中关节突半脱位时对其的保护有关。有人提出腰椎关节突关节中的半月板嵌顿是急性腰背痛的一个原因，但目前的形态学数据与这一观点不一致。
