Pars interarticularis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [2]

Overview

The pars interarticularis is the part of the vertebra located between the inferior and superior articular processes of the facet joint.^[1]

Anatomy

In the transverse plane, it lies between the lamina and pedicle. It is abnormal in spondylolysis, either due to fracture or congenitally.^[2]

Pathophysiology

It is abnormal in spondylolysis, either due to fracture or congenitally.

Imaging

On an anterior oblique radiograph of the lumbar spine, the pars is the neck of the imaginary Scottie dog; the Scottie dog’s eye is the pedicle,^[3] its hindlegs the spinous process, its nose the transverse process and its forelegs the inferior articular facet.^[4]

References

↑ Pars interarticularis. Stedman’s Medical Dictionary. Available at: http://www.emedicine.com/asp/dictionary.asp?keyword=Pars+interarticularis. Accessed on: April 9, 2007.
↑ Spondylolysis. Stedman’s Medical Dictionary. URL: http://www.emedicine.com/asp/dictionary.asp?keyword=spondylolysis. Accessed on: April 14, 2007.
↑ Macleod S, Hendry G (1982). “Congenital absence of a lumbar pedicle. A case report and a review of the literature”. Pediatr Radiol. 12 (4): 207–10. PMID 6752854.
↑ Capobianco JD. OMM Board Review. Available at: [1]. Accessed on: April 9, 2007.

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[1] Pars interarticularis. Stedman’s Medical Dictionary. Available at: http://www.emedicine.com/asp/dictionary.asp?keyword=Pars+interarticularis. Accessed on: April 9, 2007.

[2] Spondylolysis. Stedman’s Medical Dictionary. URL: http://www.emedicine.com/asp/dictionary.asp?keyword=spondylolysis. Accessed on: April 14, 2007.

[3] Macleod S, Hendry G (1982). “Congenital absence of a lumbar pedicle. A case report and a review of the literature”. Pediatr Radiol. 12 (4): 207–10. PMID 6752854.

[4] Capobianco JD. OMM Board Review. Available at: [1]. Accessed on: April 9, 2007.

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