This document provides a simplified overview of the types of joints found in the vertebral column. It lists and describes the following joints: atlanto-occipital, atlanto-axial, intervertebral, costo-vertebral, costo-transverse, lumbo-sacral, sacro-iliac, and sacro-coccygeal. For each joint, it specifies the type (e.g. synovial, symphysis) and subtype (e.g. condyloid, gliding). The document is intended as a quick review and does not discuss ligaments, muscles, or detailed anatomy.

1. Joints of theVertebral Column
(SimplifiedVersion) – Types of Joint
By: Gan Quan Fu, PT,
MSc Human Anatomy (Batch 3)

2. Preview
This is a very simplified slide just for a quick review
of the types of joint present in the vertebral region.
Ligaments and muscles and general anatomy of the
bone and joint structures are not mentioned here
in this slide.
Symbol (*) in this slide indicates there are different
names in various sources (ie: In Gray’s Masterclass edn,
the subtype of facet joint is known as Arthrodial or Gliding joint
while it is noted as Planar joint in Saladin and some internet
source)

3. Contents
 Atlanto-Occipital Joint
 Atlanto-Axial Joint
 Intervertebral Joints
 Costo-Vertebral Joints
 Costo-Transverse Joints
 Lumbo-Sacral Joints
 Sacro-Iliac Joints
 Sacto-Coccygeal Joint

4. Atlanto-Occipital Joints
 Type
◦ Synovial
 Subtype
◦ Condyloid

5. Alanto-Axial Joints
 Type
◦ Synovial (Both)
 Subtype
◦ Pivot (odontoid process and the atlas and
transverse ligament)
◦ Arthrodial/Gliding joint/ Planar* (Between
articulating processes)

6. Intervertebral Joints
 Type
◦ Articulation ofVertebrae Bodies
(Interarticular disc): Symphysis
◦ Articulation of Articular Processes (Facet/
zygapophyseal joint*): Synovial
 Subtype
◦ Articulation of Articular Processes:Arthrodial/
Gliding joint/ Planar*

7. Costo-Vertebral Joints
 Type
◦ Synovial
 Subtype
◦ Arthrodial/ Gliding joint/ Planar*

8. Costo-Transverse Joints
 Type
◦ Synovial
 Subtype
◦ Arthrodial/ Gliding joint/ Planar*

9. Lumbo-Sacral Joints
 Type
◦ Articulation of L5 to Base of Sacrum
(Interarticular disc): Symphysis
◦ Articulation of Articular Processes (Facet/
zygapophyseal joint*): Synovial
 Subtype
◦ Articulation of Articular Processes:Arthrodial/
Gliding joint/ Planar*

10. Sacro-iliac Joint
 Type
◦ Anteriorly: Synovial
◦ Posteriorly: Syndesmosis
 Subtype
◦ Arthrodial/ Gliding joint/ Planar*

11. Sacro-coccygeal Joint
 Type
◦ Symphysis

12. References
 Gray, H. (2012) Gray’s Anatomy;The
classic Anatomical Handbook for Doctors,
Students and Artist, 15th edn. London;
Bounty Books.
 Images taken from google image