Master Spinal Facet Orientation and Spinal Motion with Picmonic for Medicine

The surface of the superior facets of the cervical spinal faces back, up and towards midline.

The superior facets of the thorax are oriented backwards, upwards and lateral.

Facets in the lumbar spine face back, up and medial.

The cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine can be moved in flexion and extension. The most noticeable areas of flexion and extension are the cervical and lumbar spine, where the superior facets are oriented backward and medially. Flexion and extension occur along the transverse axis in the sagittal plane.

Rotation is seen throughout the spine, and is most noted in the cervical and thoracic regions. Rotation is around the vertical axis, in the transverse plane.

Sidebending (Lateral Flexion) occurs throughout the vertebral column, and is most noticeable in the cervical and thoracic vertebrae. Sidebending occurs around the anterior-posterior axis, in the coronal plane.