Anatomy and Procedures of the Thoracic Spine

Question 1

How many vertebrae are in the thoracic spine?

Answer 1

12

Question 2

What occupies the posterior thorax?

Answer 2

Thoracic vertebrae

Question 3

What are the unique features of thoracic vertebrae?

Answer 3

• Costal facets on posterior, lateral sides of bodies for articulation with head of ribs
• Facets on transverse processes for articulation with tubercle of ribs (except for T11 and T12)

Question 3

What is the main difference between thoracic vertebrae compared to any other vertebrae?

Answer 3

the ribs articulate with the thoracic spine

Question 4

What is seen on the obliques of T-spine?

Answer 4

Zyapophyseal joints on 70 degrees obliques

Question 5

What is seen on the lateral projection of the thoracic spine?

Answer 5

Intervertebral Foramen
at 90 degrees

Question 6

What are the essential projections of T-spine?

Answer 6

• AP
• Lateral

Question 7

What is the patient position for AP T-spine?

Answer 7

• Supine or Upright
• Shoulders in same horizontal plane
• Arms by side

Question 8

What is the SID used for AP T-spine?

Answer 8

40 inches or 100 cm

Question 9

If the patient is supine for AP T- spine what do you do to reduce kyphosis?

Answer 9

flexing hips and knees to place thighs vertical

Question 9

Where do we center for AP T-spine?

Answer 9

center to T7

Question 10

If patient is upright for AP T-spine what should you make sure?

Answer 10

weight should be equally distributed on both feet

Question 10

Part position for AP Tspine

Answer 10

MSP in center

Question 11

Where should IR be placed for AP T-spine?

Answer 11

IR placed 1 1/2 to 2 inches above shoulders to place T7 in center

Question 12

What is the CR for AP T-spine?

Answer 12

Perpendicular to IR, enters patient midway between jugular notch and xiphoid process
- centering at T7

Question 13

What is the breathing for AP T-spine? what is being demonstrated

Answer 13

expiration to blur out lung markings
- T1 through T12

Question 13

Where is the anode heel affect prominently known in?

Answer 13

T- spine (AP)

Question 14

Where is the cathode by in the T-spine?

Answer 14

Abdomen
(feet)
FAT CAT

Question 15

What is demonstrated by the lateral projection of T-spine?

Answer 15

Intervertebral foramina
demonstrated on lateral projection

Question 16

What is shown on the obliques projection of T-spine?

Answer 16

Zygapophyseal joints 70 degree oblique

Question 17

What is the patient position for lateral T-spine?

Answer 17

• Recumbent or upright

Question 18

Why is a left lateral preferred?

Answer 18

Left lateral minimizes heart magnification and overlapping of heart on spine

Question 19

What is the part position for lateral T-spine?

Answer 19

If recumbent, flex hips and knees for comfort

Superimpose hips and knees for true lateral position

Long axis of vertebral column aligned horizontal
Firm support for head and lower portion, if needed

Adjust arms to right angle from body

Question 20

What is the SID for lateral T-spine?

Answer 20

40 inches

Question 20

What is the CR for lateral T-spine?

Answer 20

Perpendicular to IR T7 if spine is horizontal
- enters patient at T7 (inferior angles of scapula)

Question 21

If spine is not horizontal for lateral T-spine what can you do?

Answer 21

angle 10 to 15 degrees cephalic

Question 21

what is the breathing for lateral T-spine?

Answer 21

3 to 5 seconds breathing technique
- shallow breathing

Question 22

in the PA oblique tspine what is being best demonstrated

Answer 22

zygapophyseal joints: LAO position. Arrow indicates articulation that is closest to IR.

Question 22

in the AP oblique tspine what is being best demonstrated

Answer 22

Recumbent AP oblique thoracic zygapophyseal joints: RPO position. Arrow indicates articulation that is farthest from IR.

Question 23

what is the recommended breathing for the AP thoracic spine

Answer 23

Respiration suspended at end of expiration or use shallow breathing

Question 24

what is the recommended breathing for the lateral thoracic spine

Answer 24

Make exposure with patient breathing normally or respiration suspended at end of expiration

Question 25

What articulation must be seen in lateral t-spine?

Answer 25

T12 and L1

Question 26

How many pairs of ribs do you have?

Answer 26

6 pairs

Question 27

what is best breathing for lateral t-spine?

Answer 27

shallow or slow breathing
low mA and high time
3 to 5 seconds