Functional spinal unit
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A functional spinal unit (FSU) is the smallest physiological motion unit of the spine. The term was first used by Junghanns. Another term for the FSU is spinal motion segment. A FSU consists of two adjacent vertebrae, the intervertebral disc between and all adjoining ligaments, excluding other connecting tissues such as muscles. In biomechanical based in vitro studies, isolated or multiple FSU's are often used to measure mechanical properties of the spine.