L5 Thoracic Spine and Back

Question 1

functions of rigidity in thoracic region

Answer 1

base for craniocervical muscles/muscle attachments
protect organs
bellows for breathing/respiration

Question 2

unique characteristic of thoracic vertebrae

Answer 2

rib attachment at costal facets
each vertebrae has 3 costal facets, because they articulate with 2 ribs and have a costla facet on the transverse process

Question 3

characteristics of thoracic vertebrae

Answer 3

T2-T10
pedicles directly posterior to body, smaller vertebral canal as the spinal cord branches into brachial plexuses
long, downward spinous process overlapping next vertebrae
vertical facet joints

Question 4

How many articular processes are there on a typical thoracic vertebrae?

Answer 4

10
2 inf, 2 sup, 4 articular processes, 2 rib articulations

Question 5

characteristics of T1

Answer 5

prominent spinous process
full costal facet as well as a demifacet

Question 6

T11 and T12 vertabrae

Answer 6

single full costal facets
necks of ribs don’t articulate with the transverse processes

Question 7

how many joints are there on a typical rib?

Answer 7

head of the rib and vertebrae
transverse process at costotransverse joint
at sternum

Question 8

motions of the ribs

Answer 8

rotate around longitudinal axis in upper ribs
ascend and descend in lower ribs
both essential for breathing

Question 9

costotransverse joints

and associated ligaments

Answer 9

synovial joints
costotransverse ligament is medial, lateral costotransverse ligament, superior costotransverse ligament: attach neck to the transverse process

Question 10

how are muscles of the back organized?

Answer 10

superficial: function in upper limb, anterior rami or CN 11
intermediate: serratuses, fx for respiration
deep: movement in spinal column, posterior rami

Question 11

muscles of the superficial group of back mm

Answer 11

trapezius, latissimus dorsi, rhomboids, levator scapulae

Question 12

serratus posterior superior

Answer 12

origin: ligamentum nuchae, C7-T2 spinous process, supraspinous ligaments
insertion: upper border ribs 2-5
innervation: intercostal T1-T5
function: elevate ribs 2-5

Question 13

serratus posterior inferior

Answer 13

origin: T11-L3 spinous processes and supraspinous ligaments
insertion: lower borders ribs 9-12
innervation: intercostal nerves T9-T12
function: depress ribs 9-12