These articular processes and their faces arise superiorly from the junction of the pedicle and lamina. The articular surface has a comma-shaped curvature oriented primarily in the sagittal plane. This surface faces medially. The surface has a shallow concavity. These processes are more widely separated than their inferior counterparts.

Facet, literally means a little face. It came into English via the French diminutive facette that came from the Latin facies or face. Anatomically, the term describes smooth, flat surfaces.