Regional differences in zygapophysial joint cavities: A histological study of human fetuses

Kitamura, Kei; Kim, Ji Hyun; Cho, Kwang Ho; Murakami, Gen; Rodríguez‐Vázquez, José Francisco; Yamamoto, Hitoshi

doi:10.1002/ar.24532

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…5). According to our previous study, it had been specifically found in the subaxial cervi-cal region [13]. The venous-synovial complex was usually seen at the anterior end of the cervical ZJ, and it seemed to be a transient morphology in late-stage fetuses and, pos- (4,5); at the joint (right), the lower vertebral element is located anterior to the upper adjacent vertebra.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

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Fetal cervical zygapophysial joint with special reference to the associated synovial tissue: a histological study using near-term human fetuses

et al. 2021

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Human fetal cervical vertebrae are characterized by the large zygapophysial joint (ZJ) extending posteriorly. During our recent studies on regional differences in the shape, extent, and surrounding tissue of the fetal ZJ, we incidentally found a cervical-specific structure of synovial tissues. This study aimed to provide a detailed evaluation of the synovial structure using sagittal and horizontal sections of 20 near-term fetuses. The cervical ZJ consistently had a large cavity with multiple recesses at the margins and, especially at the anterior end, the recess interdigitated with or were located close to tree-like tributaries of the veins of the external vertebral plexus. In contrast to the flat and thin synovial cell lining of the recess, the venous tributary had cuboidal endothelial cells. No or few elastic fibers were identified around the ZJ. The venous-synovial complex seems to be a transient morphology at and around birth, and it may play a role in the stabilization of the growing cervical ZJ against frequent spontaneous dislocation reported radiologically in infants. The venous-synovial complex in the cervical region should be lost and replaced by elastic fibers in childhood or adolescence. However, the delayed development of the ligament flavum is also likely to occur in the lumbar ZJ in spite of no evidence of a transient venous-synovial structure. The cuboidal venous endothelium may simply represent the high proliferation rate for the growing complex.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

“…In our recent study of the cervical vertebrae [11][12][13], we found that the morphology of the fetal cervical ZJ is markedly different than that of the adult cervical ZJ. The joint cavity is very large as it extends posteromedially along the vertebral lamina beyond the articular process.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Fetal cervical zygapophysial joint with special reference to the associated synovial tissue: a histological study using near-term human fetuses

et al. 2021

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“…Therefore, using histological sections of human fetuses, this study aimed to 1) characterize the growing jugular process in fetuses and 2) examine the C1 nerve course near and around the RCLM. Our recent studies have revealed the topographical anatomy at the occipitovertebral junction in human fetuses [2,6,7,8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rectus capitis lateralis muscle revisited: a histological study using human fetuses

Murakami,

Cho,

Kitamura

et al. 2023

Surg Radiol Anat

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BackgroundRectus capitis lateralis muscle (RCLM) is located at the border between the ventral and dorsal muscle groups, but the nerve topographical anatomy around the muscle is obscure. Materials and MethodsWe observed the RCLM in histological sections of 12 midterm and 10 near-term fetal heads (9-18 and 26-40 weeks of gestational age). ResultsAt midterm, the RCLM wrapped around the inferiorly protruding inferolateral corner of the cartilaginous occipital bone. The muscle was adjacent to, or even continued to, the intertransversarius muscle between the atlas and axis. At near-term, the jugular process of the occipital bone, that is, the RCLM upper insertion, was either cartilaginous or bony, depending on age. The process formed a collar supporting the internal jugular vein from the inferior side. Moreover, the muscle is tightly attached to or inserted into the venous wall itself. The cartilaginous jugular process was adjacent to Reichert's cartilage, and the uppermost muscle bers passed through a narrow space between these cartilages. The RCLM appeared to accelerate the jugular process elongation, resulting in complete union of the occipital and temporal bones. The ventral ramus of the rst cervical nerve passed between the RCLM and rectus capitis anterior muscle to reach the longus capitis muscle. No nerve passed between the RCLM and the obliquus capitis superior muscle (a muscle at the suboccipital triangle). ConclusionThe dorsoventral position of the RCLM seemed to correspond to the scalenus posterior muscle in a laminar arrangement of the cervical axial musculature. the atlas. The dorsal ramus extends to the posterior side of all muscles shown in the gure. For other abbreviations, see the common abbreviation.

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Transient contribution of the sphenoid ala major to the socket of the temporomandibular joint in near‐term fetuses

Hirouchi,

Takeuchi,

Yang

et al. 2024

The Anatomical Record

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The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a complex structure that plays a vital role in the movement of the jaw. Some anatomy and dental textbooks show that, at the medial margin, the TMJ capsule attaches to a suture between the sphenoid ala major and the temporal bone squamosa. In near‐term fetuses, the ala major extends posterolaterally to approach the TMJ. In this study, we aimed to investigate the contribution of the sphenoid ala major to the socket of the TMJ in near‐term fetuses. We examined histological sections from 22 human fetuses (approximately 15–40 weeks). At midterm, the lateral and superior walls of the TMJ cavity were formed by the temporal bone squamosa, whereas the ala major was distant from the joint. However, at near‐term, the ala major formed the medial wall of almost the entire part of the joint cavity. The top of the TMJ was attached to both the squamosa and ala major, with the condylar head consistently separated from the sphenoid by the joint disk. We observed a significant descent of the middle cranial fossa in near‐term fetuses, which brought the ala major close to the TMJ. This transient position of the TMJ near the sphenoid is likely due to brain enlargement and posterolateral growth of the ala major. After birth, occlusion causes the anterior growth of the mandibular fossa of the squamosa, which moves the ala major away from the TMJ. Similarly, the lateral growth of the sphenoid toward the squamosa suture may also stop in children.

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Regional differences in zygapophysial joint cavities: A histological study of human fetuses

Cited by 5 publications

References 17 publications

Fetal cervical zygapophysial joint with special reference to the associated synovial tissue: a histological study using near-term human fetuses

Fetal cervical zygapophysial joint with special reference to the associated synovial tissue: a histological study using near-term human fetuses

Rectus capitis lateralis muscle revisited: a histological study using human fetuses

Transient contribution of the sphenoid ala major to the socket of the temporomandibular joint in near‐term fetuses

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