Lumbar Facet Tropism: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Background: Scattered reports exist in the medical literature regarding facet tropism. However, this finding has had mixed conclusions regarding its origin and impact on the normal spine.

Methods: We performed a literature review of the anatomy, embryology, biomechanics, and pathology related to lumbar facet tropism.

Results: Facet tropism is most commonly found at L4-L5 vertebral segments and there is some evidence that this condition may lead to facet degenerative spondylolisthesis, intervertebral disc disease, and other degenerative conditions.

Conclusion: Long-term analyses of patients are necessary to elucidate relationships between associated findings and facet tropism. In addition, a universally agreed definition that is more precise should be developed for future investigative studies.

Keywords: Anatomy; Facet; Spine; Tropism; Variation; Vertebral column.