Uncinate Process: Difference between revisions
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The uncinate process of the vertebrae are associated with the '''uncovertebral joints,''' also known as the '''joint of Luschka''', and are a unique feature of the cervical spine <ref name=":0">[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24453021/ Hartman J. Anatomy and clinical significance of the uncinate process and uncovertebral joint: a comprehensive review. Clinical Anatomy. 2014 Apr;27(3):431-40.]</ref>. | The uncinate process of the vertebrae are associated with the '''uncovertebral joints,''' also known as the '''joint of Luschka''', and are a unique feature of the cervical spine <ref name=":0">[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24453021/ Hartman J. Anatomy and clinical significance of the uncinate process and uncovertebral joint: a comprehensive review. Clinical Anatomy. 2014 Apr;27(3):431-40.]</ref>. | ||
The uncinate process refers to a hook-shaped process located on the superolateral margins of the bilateral C3-C7 vertebral bodies <ref name=":1">Moore KL, Dalley AF. Clinically oriented anatomy. Wolters kluwer india Pvt Ltd; 2018 Jul 12.</ref>. They are positioned on each side of the associated intervertebral discs, lateral and anterior to the intervertebral foramina (IVF) <ref>Vaskovis J. Uncovertebral joints [internet]. Anatomy, spine and back, spine. Kenhub; 2020 [cited 2020Sep26]. Available from: https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/uncovertebral-joints</ref>. | The uncinate process refers to a hook-shaped process located on the superolateral margins of the bilateral C3-C7 vertebral bodies <ref name=":1">Moore KL, Dalley AF. Clinically oriented anatomy. Wolters kluwer india Pvt Ltd; 2018 Jul 12.</ref>. They are positioned on each side of the associated intervertebral discs, lateral and anterior to the intervertebral foramina (IVF) <ref name=":2">Vaskovis J. Uncovertebral joints [internet]. Anatomy, spine and back, spine. Kenhub; 2020 [cited 2020Sep26]. Available from: https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/uncovertebral-joints</ref>. | ||
In the upper cervical spine, the uncinate processes are positioned in a more anterior position in relation to the lower cervical spine, where they are positioned slightly more posterior <ref name=":1" />. | In the upper cervical spine, the uncinate processes are positioned in a more anterior position in relation to the lower cervical spine, where they are positioned slightly more posterior <ref name=":1" />. | ||
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== Clinical Significance == | == Clinical Significance == | ||
'''Uncovertebral Joint Hypertrophy''' | |||
After the age of 65, the uncovertebral joints undergo hypertrophic and arthritic changes, typically with no specific cause. The chondrocytes ability to regenerate decreases which overtime leads to progressive thinning of the articular cartilage of the joint. This deformation of the articular cartilage is the earliest change in osteoarthritis. | |||
November 1998, Volume 20, Issue 4, pp 249-252</ref> | |||
This thinning of the articular cartilage results in increased exposure of the subchondral bone, making the bone susceptible to chronic mechanical injuries, commonly resulting in the growth of bone spurs which are also known as osteophytes. | |||
Additionally, the growth of these osteophytes within the uncovertebral joints may compress spinal nerves of the cervical spine and on the vertebral artery, considering the location of these joints (lateral and anterior to the IVF) <ref name=":2" />. | |||
The growth of osteophytes from the unicinate process and the resultant narrowing of the intervertebral foramen are reported to be the main cause of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy<ref>J. Lu, N. A. Ebraheim, H. Yang, M. Skie, R. A. Yeasting. [http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00276-998-0249-1 Cervical uncinate process: an anatomic study for anterior decompression of the cervical spine]. Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy | |||
November 1998, Volume 20, Issue 4, pp 249-252</ref>. | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
<references /><br> | <references /><br> | ||
Revision as of 02:33, 28 September 2020
Description[edit | edit source]
The uncinate process of the vertebrae are associated with the uncovertebral joints, also known as the joint of Luschka, and are a unique feature of the cervical spine [1].
The uncinate process refers to a hook-shaped process located on the superolateral margins of the bilateral C3-C7 vertebral bodies [2]. They are positioned on each side of the associated intervertebral discs, lateral and anterior to the intervertebral foramina (IVF) [3].
In the upper cervical spine, the uncinate processes are positioned in a more anterior position in relation to the lower cervical spine, where they are positioned slightly more posterior [2].
Articulations[edit | edit source]
There are a total of four articulations that make up the uncovertebral joints, which are formed between the superolateral margins of the uncinate processes and the inferolateral portion of the vertebral body above [2].
Function[edit | edit source]
- Limits lateral flexion, which plays a role in preserving the integrity of the ipsilateral IVF [1].
- Maintains the position of the intervertebral disc during axial rotation [1].
Anatomical Variation[edit | edit source]
- Uncinate processes are subject to variation and may be absent on the vertebral body of C7. On occasion, they may extend down to T1 and T2 [4].
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Uncovertebral Joint Hypertrophy
After the age of 65, the uncovertebral joints undergo hypertrophic and arthritic changes, typically with no specific cause. The chondrocytes ability to regenerate decreases which overtime leads to progressive thinning of the articular cartilage of the joint. This deformation of the articular cartilage is the earliest change in osteoarthritis.
This thinning of the articular cartilage results in increased exposure of the subchondral bone, making the bone susceptible to chronic mechanical injuries, commonly resulting in the growth of bone spurs which are also known as osteophytes.
Additionally, the growth of these osteophytes within the uncovertebral joints may compress spinal nerves of the cervical spine and on the vertebral artery, considering the location of these joints (lateral and anterior to the IVF) [3].
The growth of osteophytes from the unicinate process and the resultant narrowing of the intervertebral foramen are reported to be the main cause of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy[5].
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Hartman J. Anatomy and clinical significance of the uncinate process and uncovertebral joint: a comprehensive review. Clinical Anatomy. 2014 Apr;27(3):431-40.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Moore KL, Dalley AF. Clinically oriented anatomy. Wolters kluwer india Pvt Ltd; 2018 Jul 12.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Vaskovis J. Uncovertebral joints [internet]. Anatomy, spine and back, spine. Kenhub; 2020 [cited 2020Sep26]. Available from: https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/uncovertebral-joints
- ↑ Tubbs RS, Rompala OJ, Verma K, Mortazavi MM, Benninger B, Loukas M, Chambers MR. Analysis of the uncinate processes of the cervical spine: an anatomical study. Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine. 2012 Apr 1;16(4):402-7.
- ↑ J. Lu, N. A. Ebraheim, H. Yang, M. Skie, R. A. Yeasting. Cervical uncinate process: an anatomic study for anterior decompression of the cervical spine. Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy November 1998, Volume 20, Issue 4, pp 249-252
