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zygapophysis

^ http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/UBERON_0006062

Paired processes at the cephalic and caudal ends of the neural arch. They function as interlocking structures between adjacent vertebrae, and limit dorsoventral flexion and lateral movement of the column in the trunk region[AAO]. The articular processes or zygapophyses of a vertebra, in human anatomy contain two superior and two inferior, spring from the junctions of the pedicles and laminae. These stick out of an end of a vertebra to lock with a zygapophysis on the next vertebra, to make the backbone more stable. The superior processes project upward from a lower vertebra, and their articular surfaces are directed more or less backward. The inferior processes 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. [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Articular_processes AAO:Pugener_and_Maglia_2008 ]

Synonyms: zygapophysis, processus articularis (zygapophysis), articular process of vertebra

Term info

database cross reference
Subsets

vertebrate_core

UBPROP 0000001

Paired processes at the cephalic and caudal ends of the neural arch. They function as interlocking structures between adjacent vertebrae, and limit dorsoventral flexion and lateral movement of the column in the trunk region.[AAO]

depicted by

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3e/Processusarticularissuperiorvertebrae.png

editor note

TODO - class as endochondral bone, check species

has related synonym

intercalarium articulating process, p. articularis vertebrae, processus articularis vertebrae

has broad synonym

articular process

id

UBERON:0006062

prefLabel

Articular process of vertebra