Massage Therapy Journal Spring 2024

32 • Massage Therapy Journal

AMTA Continuing Education

Knee Bursae

the body and how they work with the rest of the structures, starting with the spine. The lumbar spine , or the lower back, consists of a series of vertebral bones known as lumbar vertebrae. These vertebrae are connected by different classifications of joints that allow for movement and provide stability to the spine. The discs and joints are discussed below in more detail. Intervertebral discs: Are fibrocartilaginous structures located between adjacent lumbar vertebrae. They act as spacers to allow spinal nerves to exit out from the spinal cord. The discs can also aid as shock absorbers for the spine, and allow for slight movement and flexibility between each vertebra. The intervertebral discs consist of a dense outer layer called the annulus fibrosus and a gel-like center called the nucleus pulposus . These are known as amphiarthrotic joints. These joints are slightly moveable and are held together with cartilage. Figure 4 shows the intervertebral disc. Facet joints , also known as zygapophyseal joints or z-joints, are located on the posterior aspect of each vertebra. Each vertebra has two pairs of facet joints—one pair facing superior (superior articular facet) and another pair facing inferior (inferior articular facet).

Figure 3

Suprapatellar bursa Prepatellar bursa Deep infrapatellar bursa Subcutaneous infrapatellar bursa

Popliteal bursa

between tissues. They are most commonly found around joints where smooth movement of one tissue over another is important. Bursae can be found between a muscle or tendon as it passes over a bony prominence. Some of the bursae in our bodies are there at birth, while others can develop due to areas of increased friction. See Figure 3 . The Lumbar Spine: Discs, Joints and Ligaments In the next few lessons, we will discuss the discs, joints and ligaments of the major structures of

Figures 4 and 5

Figure 6

Vertebral body

Lumbosacral joint

Facet joint

Intervertetebal disc

Facet joint

Facet joint

Joint capsule

Facet joint

Spinous process

Designua / Okrasiuk / Shutterstock.com

Joint cavity

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