Definition: The intervertebral joint is the space that is located between any two adjacent vertebrae. This space allows movement to occur in the spine. The meeting points of the two spinal bones involved in forming an intervertebral joint are the vertebral body (the front portion) and the vertebral arch (the back portion). Between the vertebral bodies, cushioning is provided by the presence of intervertebral discs.
The spine has ligaments made of tough fibrous bands of connective tissue that help stabilize the intervertebral joints and support the spinal column in weight bearing and movement.
Examples:
Movement in all directions (forward, back, side to side and twisting) occurs at the many intervertebral joints in spine.
