Posterior Branches of Lumbar Spinal Nerves - Part I: Anatomy and Functional Importance
Journal Title: Ortopedia Traumatologia Rehabilitacja - Year 2016, Vol 18, Issue 1
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to compare anatomic descriptions of posterior branches of the lumbar spinal nerves and, on this basis, present the location of these structures. The majority of anatomy textbooks do not describe these nerves in detail, which may be attributable to the fact that for many years they were regarded as structures of minor clinical importance. The state of knowledge on these nerves has changed within the last 30 years. Attention has been turned to their function and importance for both diagnostic practice and therapy of lower back pain.Summarising the available literature, we may conclude that the medial and lateral branches separate at the junction of the facet joint and the distal upper edge of the transverse process; that the size, course and area supplied differ between the lateral and the medial branch; and that facet joints receive multisegmental innervation. It has been demonstrated that medial branches are smaller than the respective lateral branches and they have a more constant course. Medial branches supply the area from the midline to the facet joint line, while lateral branches innervate tissues lateral to the facet joint.The literature indicates difficulties with determining specific anatomic landmarks relative to which the lateral branch and the distal medial branch can be precisely located.Irritation of sensory fibres within posterior branches of the lumbar spinal nerves may be caused by pathology of facet joints, deformity of the spine or abnormalities due to overloading or injury. The anatomic location and course of posterior branches of spinal nerves should be borne in mind to prevent damaging them during low-invasive analgesic procedures.
Authors and Affiliations
Katarzyna Kozera, Bogdan Ciszek
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP79605
- DOI 10.5604/15093492.1198827
- Views 119
- Downloads 0
Analiza porównawcza przydatności klinicznej skal Staffelstein-Score i Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Score (HSS) w ocenie wczesnych wyników endoprotezoplastyk stawu kolanowego. Doniesienie wstępne.
[b]Wstęp.[/b] Wprowadzona i rozwinięta w drugiej połowie ubiegłego wieku metoda alloplastyki stawów stała się metodą z wyboru w leczeniu zaawansowanych postaci choroby zwyrodnieniowej stawu kolanowego. Celem prezentowany...
Laser therapy and magnetic field therapy as auxiliary treatment for neck pain
Background. Neck pain has become a serious epidemiological and therapeutic problem. Among the most important reasons for this are sedentary lifestyles and low levels of physical activity. The goal of our study was to com...
The effect of clodronate on bone mineral density and serum osteocalcin in postmenopausal women with osteopenia - a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study.
Background. The efficacy of bisphosphonates in treatment of established osteoporosis has been well-documented; less data have been published on their efficacy in the prophylaxis of postmenopausal bone loss in women with...
Physiotherapeutical management after osteoporotic fractures
Osteoporosis, characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, can cause fractures after even a minor trauma, resulting in serious disability and even death. These fractures lower the q...
Analysis of the influence of Ascaris, Borrelia, Toxocara, Toxoplasma and Mycoplasma infections on the incidence and course of Perthes disease – pilot study
AbstractBackground It is known from medical literature that such organisms as Ascaris, Borrelia, Mycoplasma, Toxocara and Toxoplasma can cause arthritis or cause vascular changes. We studied their influence on the incide...