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.
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