Detailed pathological changes of human lumbar facet joints L1-L5 in elderly individuals.

Facet joints play an important role in intervertebral load transmission and are crucial for rotational kinematics. Clinically, the role of facet joints as a possible source of low back pain is seen as controversial and at present is not sufficiently investigated. In this study, human lumbar facet (zygapopyhysial) joints from donors with advanced age were analyzed macroscopically, for degenerative changes.

University reform and introduction of the Harvard system to medical education.

At this point we may observe that problems in medical education should be sought for neither in the tutor-student ratio nor in the conditions of studies, but rather in the universities' general dilemma, in the conflict between patient care, research, and education. It is furthered by the absence of academic teaching's "market value" and of a specific didactic training. A series of teaching experiments, the Munich model among them, have shown that a successful strategy is viable toward developing a new system of teaching once the foundations have been laid by a clear-sighted analysis of the existing problem and of a precise definition of educational targets.

Prenatal rotation of the lumbar spine and its relevance for the development of the zygapophyseal joints.

Study Design: The intrauterine axial rotational characteristics of the lumbar spine were analyzed and quantified sonographically.

Objectives: To determine whether axial rotational movements of the lumbar spine occur prenatally, which may influence the morphogenesis of the zygapophysial joints.

Summary Of Background Data: Previously, the development of lumbar zygapophysial sagittal joint orientation was linked to the increase in torque of the torso as upright posture and locomotion are adopted.