Positioning of Lumbar Facet Joints by Analysis of Surface Anatomy in Korean Adults

Kim, Jong Moon; Lee, Jeong Mo; Kim, Jong Hoon; Chung, Jin Sang; Choi, Young Chil

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To determine the Korean adult standard of mean length and depth from spinous process which is palpable landmark of back to each facet joint. METHOD: The horizontal line was made between the posterior end of each facet joint, and the rectangular line was made on the horizontal line at the level of spinous process, respectively. We measured the length from the point of intersection to the posterior end of each facet joint (SFL), and the depth from the tip of spinous process to the point of intersection (SFD). All parameters were measured in 30 volunteers (Exp. 1) using computed tomography and in 30 cadavers (Exp. 2). RESULTS: The lower lumbar spine revealed the longer SFL (p<0.01). SFD was significantly increased from L1-L2 to L3-L4 facet joints, but significantly decreased in L5-S1 facet joint compared to L4-L5 facet joint (p<0.01). There was no significant difference in laterality, gender, and viability (Exp. 1 and Exp. 2)(p>0.05). There was no correlation with height and weight, either (r<0.04). CONCLUSION: We measured the standard for SFL and SFD in Korean. We suggest that these results will be useful in clinical practice including blind approach of spinal intervention to the facet joints.