Table 1

Categorization of Spinal Joints^∗

¹Composed of the following ligaments: apical odontoid, right and left alar, superior band of the cruciform, and tectorial membrane

²Composed of right and left ligamenta flava

³Composed of right and left intertransverse ligaments

⁴Anterior longitudinal ligament recorded from C1-C2 through L5-S1

⁵Because joints between the uncinate processes and the vertebral bodies (“uncovertebral joints“) are not consistently found and because their classification as true joints is controversial, the “uncovertebral joints“ were not recorded or counted as joints in the tables of this appendix.

⁶Ligamentum nuchae counted; however, supraspinous and interspinous ligaments not recorded at these cervical levels

⁷Posterior longitudinal ligament recorded from C2-C3 through L5-S1, posterior sacrococcygeal ligament recorded between sacrum and coccyx

⁸Supraspinous and interspinous ligaments begin at this level; supraspinous ligament recorded through L2-L3, interspinous recorded through L5-S1

⁹Lateral costotransverse ligament considered a supporting ligament of the costotransverse articulations; consequently, it is not listed under “Syndesmosis”

¹⁰Classified as an atypical synovial joint with a well-defined joint space and two opposing articular surfaces

¹¹Discs between coccygeal segments

^∗Table compiled by Joshua Healy, DC; Gregory D. Cramer, DC, PhD; and Thomas Grieve, DC, MPH

Table 2

Joints by Region^∗

^∗Table compiled by Joshua Healy, DC and Thomas Grieve, DC, MPH

Table 3

Synovial Joints of the Spine^∗

^∗Table compiled by Joshua Healy, DC and Thomas Grieves, DC, MPH