combustion. n. 1. the process of burning. 2. (Chemistry) any process in which a substance reacts with oxygen to produce a significant rise in temperature and the emission of light. 3. (Chemistry) a chemical process in which two compounds, such as sodium and chlorine, react together to produce heat and light.
Facet joint syndrome is an arthritis-like condition of the spine that can be a significant source of back and neck pain. It is caused by degenerative changes to the joints between the spine bones. The cartilage inside the facet joint can break down and become inflamed, triggering pain signals in nearby nerve endings.
Degenerative disc disease usually occurs along with pathology of the facet joints. Photo Credit cozyta/iStock/Getty Images. The spine contains 33 vertebrae. Except for the lower one-quarter of the spine, all vertebrae all are movable, or unfused. Each vertebra has two sets of facets joints located on the back of the spine. One pair faces upward and the other faces downward; they link each spinal segment together.