Spine
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Human cervical facet joint capsules were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. ⋯ An abundance of protein gene product 9.5 reactive nerve fibers indicates an extensive innervation of the cervical facet joint capsules. The presence of substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide reactive nerve fibers in a population of these lends credence to cervical facet joint capsules as a key source of neck pain.
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Porcine lumbar spine specimens were cyclically loaded in flexion and extension with a pure moment. The resistance to flexion and extension of the individual spinal elements was quantified using a sequential resection procedure. ⋯ The supraspinous/interspinous ligament complex is the largest contributor to resisting applied flexion moments in the porcine lumbar spine.