13.7:
Articulations of the Vertebral Column
The vertebrae of the spinal column articulate with each other as well as with other bones of the body.
All adjacent vertebrae from C2 to S1 form intervertebral joints by articulating at two regions — the vertebral body and the articular processes.
Two adjoining vertebral bodies are connected via the symphysis — a cartilaginous joint formed of fibrocartilage.
In contrast, the superior process of one vertebra articulates with the inferior process of the next vertebra via the zygapophysis — a synovial plane joint.
Together, these intervertebral joints allow the anterior, posterior, and lateral bending of the body along with rotational movement.
In the neck, the atlas or C1 and the axis or C2 vertebrae are connected by the atlanto-axial pivot joint, allowing head rotation.
Additionally, C1 articulates with the occipital bone to form the atlanto-occipital joint, facilitating flexion and extension of the head.
Further, the thoracic vertebrae form synovial plane joints with the ribs, allowing gliding movement of the ribs during respiration.
Lastly, the sacrum articulates with the ilium of the pelvis, forming the sacroiliac synovial joint.
13.7:
Articulations of the Vertebral Column
In addition to being held together by the intervertebral discs, adjacent vertebrae also articulate with each other at synovial joints formed between the superior and inferior articular processes called zygapophysial joints (facet joints). These are plane joints that provide for only limited motions between the vertebrae. The orientation of the articular processes at these joints varies in different regions of the vertebral column and serves to determine the types of motions available in each vertebral region. The cervical and lumbar regions have the greatest ranges of motions.
In the neck, the articular processes of cervical vertebrae are flattened and generally face upward or downward. This orientation provides the cervical vertebral column with extensive ranges of motion for flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation. In the thoracic region, the downward projecting and overlapping spinous processes, along with the attached thoracic cage, greatly limit flexion, extension, and lateral flexion. The lumbar region allows for considerable extension, flexion, and lateral flexion, but the orientation of the articular processes largely prohibits rotation.
The articulations formed between the skull, the atlas (C1 vertebra), and the axis (C2 vertebra) differ from the articulations in other vertebral areas and play important roles in movement of the head. The atlanto-occipital joint is formed by the articulations between the superior articular processes of the atlas and the occipital condyles on the base of the skull. This articulation has a pronounced U-shaped curvature, oriented along the anterior-posterior axis that allows the skull to rock forward and backward, producing flexion and extension of the head. It also moves the head up and down, as when shaking the head to say "yes."
The atlantoaxial joint, between the atlas and axis, consists of three articulations. The paired superior articular processes of the axis articulate with the inferior articular processes of the atlas. These articulating surfaces are relatively flat and oriented horizontally. The third articulation is the pivot joint formed between the dens, which projects upward from the body of the axis and the inner aspect of the anterior arch of the atlas. A strong ligament passes posterior to the dens to hold it in position against the anterior arch. These articulations allow the atlas to rotate on top of the axis, moving the head toward the right or left, as when shaking the head to say "no."
This text is adapted from Openstax, Anatomy and Physiology 2e, Section 7.3: The Vertebral Column