accessory articulation

An accessory articulation refers to paired, additional vertebral joint surfaces located medial to the intervertebral space, adjacent to the vertebral centrum. These are supplementary articulation points between vertebrae beyond the main intervertebral joints.

Accessory articulations are positioned along the vertebral column, specifically located medial to the intervertebral space and adjacent to the vertebral centra. They are described in the context of vertebral anatomy in certain extinct or extant vertebrates.

Accessory articulations likely increase the stability and rigidity of the vertebral column by adding additional contact surfaces between adjacent vertebrae. They may limit certain ranges of motion while reinforcing resistance to specific mechanical loads.

Published clinical literature specific to accessory vertebral articulations as described here is limited. In vertebrates where they are present, they could theoretically be affected by degenerative joint disease or fusion processes affecting the vertebral column.

The main zygapophyseal (facet) joints are the standard articular processes of vertebrae found posterolaterally, while accessory articulations are additional joint surfaces located more medially and adjacent to the vertebral centra. Both contribute to spinal stability but at different anatomical positions.