The lumbar facet joints orientation suggests which primary motions?

The lumbar facet joints orientation suggests which primary motions?

• A. Rotation and side bending
• B. Flexion and extension
• C. Abduction and adduction
• D. Pronation and supination

Answer: (C)

The lumbar facet joints are oriented predominantly in the sagittal plane, which means they favor forward and backward bending. This sagittal alignment allows the spine to flex (bend forward) and extend (bend backward) with rotation being limited. Abduction and adduction describe limb movements away from or toward the midline and aren’t the primary motions of the lumbar joints; side bending is actually called lateral flexion and occurs to a lesser extent than flexion/extension in the lumbar region. So, the primary motions these joints support are flexion and extension.

The lumbar facet joints are oriented predominantly in the sagittal plane, which means they favor forward and backward bending. This sagittal alignment allows the spine to flex (bend forward) and extend (bend backward) with rotation being limited. Abduction and adduction describe limb movements away from or toward the midline and aren’t the primary motions of the lumbar joints; side bending is actually called lateral flexion and occurs to a lesser extent than flexion/extension in the lumbar region. So, the primary motions these joints support are flexion and extension.