The articular pillar (lateral mass) of a typical cervical vertebra is the column of bone between the superior and inferior articular processes, located lateral to the spinal canal and posterior to the transverse foramen. It is the site of the zygapophyseal (facet) joint and the primary load-bearing column of the posterior cervical spine.
The articular pillar is fractured in hyperextension-compression injuries and lateral mass fractures, which may be subtle on plain X-ray but clearly defined on CT. Bilateral articular pillar fractures produce traumatic spondylolisthesis. Lateral mass screws are placed through the articular pillar for posterior cervical stabilisation. Facet joint injections target the joint between adjacent articular pillars for cervicogenic headache and neck pain.
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