Anatomy of Thoracic Spine

Question 1

What is the second least mobile of the spine regions?

Answer 1

Thoracic spine

Sacrum is the least mobile

Question 2

what is the introvertebral disc height to vertebral body height ratio?

Answer 2

1:5
This is said to account for a decrease in mobility

Question 3

The height of the body is slightly higher…

Answer 3

posteriorly

This contributes to normal kyphosis

Question 4

Each body has paired costal facet posterolaterally superior and inferior except

Answer 4

T10, 11, 12

Question 5

superior demifacets are located…. and articulates with

Answer 5

at the root of the pedicle

Articulates with the numerically corresponding rib

(transverse process articulates with the tubercle of the same number rib as well)

Question 6

inferior Demi facets are located… and articulates with

Answer 6

located just anterior to the vertebral notch

Articulates with the rib below

Question 7

The pedicles protrude

Answer 7

directly posterior

Question 8

lamina osteology

Answer 8

Higher and wider and overlap like tiles on a roof

Limit extension

Question 9

superior facet osteology

Answer 9

Slightly convex
posteriorly oriented 60° from the horizontal plane
20° from the frontal plane

Question 10

Inferior facet osteology

Answer 10

slightly concave
Face anteriorly
Slightly inferiorly and medially to match the superior facets of the vertebrae below

Question 11

transverse processes osteology

Answer 11

project laterally and slightly posteriorly

Spread laterally diminishes from T1 to T12- Start to resemble L1

Oval facet located anterior at the tip for articulation with tubercles of numerically corresponding ribs

Question 12

spinous processes osteology

Answer 12

Project posteriorly, and inferiorly

Remember rule of threes

Question 13

Rule of threes

Answer 13

vertebra- spinous process level

T1-T3 -same level
T4 - T6 - half a level below
T7 - T9 - one whole level below
T10- one whole level below
T 11 - half a level below
T12- same level

Question 14

True ribs

Answer 14

Vertebrosternal
first seven pairs of ribs

Connects to the sternum by their costal cartilages

Question 15

false Ribs

Answer 15

vertebrocostal

Last five pairs of ribs

Costal cartilages of 8,9,10 ribs are joined to cartilages ribs above

Question 16

floating ribs

Answer 16

vertebral

11 and 12

Question 17

Ribs osteology: anterior end and shaft

Answer 17

anterior end- Small cup shaped depression for costal cartilages

shaft- outward convexity with costal groove on under surface for intercostal, nerves and vessels

Question 18

Posterior angle of rib

Answer 18

bend in shaft about 2 inches from the tubercle

Question 19

posterior end includes

Answer 19

Head
Neck
Tubercle

articular facets for the facet of the vertebra above and below
Crest of the head for the radiate ligament connect to the intervertebral disc
facet on the tubercle for the transverse process of vertebra
Non-Articular process for attachment of the costal ligaments

Question 20

at each level, there are how many joints?

Answer 20

6

Question 21

arrangement of facet joints allow for

Answer 21

Flexion- upward gliding
Extension- downward gliding
Rotation - sideways gliding

Question 22

Costovertebral joint structure

Answer 22

Synovial Joint
formed between heads of ribs and thoracic vertebral bodies
Interposed IVD

1st, 10th, 11th and 12th ribs articulate with a single vertebral body

Question 23

costotransverse structure

Answer 23

upper joints are convex/concave

lower joints are planar

This accounts for
Spin (rotation) of ribs within the upper T spine

Slide (elevation, depression) of ribs within the lower T spine

Question 24

Upper ribs movement

Answer 24

pump handle
Rotation , spin

Question 25

lower ribs movement

Answer 25

Bucket handles
Slide , elevation, depression

Question 26

Costochondral junction

Answer 26

costal Cartlidge fits into the depression in the distal end of each rib

Secured by enveloping periosteum, which is continuous with perichondrium

Can be site of primary sprains or irritation or secondary pain caused by rib cage dysfunction

Question 27

neural arch ligaments

Answer 27

Ligamentum flavum
Interspinous ligament
Supraspinous ligament
intertransverse ligamen

Grade together at their boundaries to unite and function as a single unit

Question 28

Capsular ligaments

Answer 28

represents a bridge between the neural arch ligaments, and those of the vertebral body

Capsule reinforced dorsally by multifidus and ventrally by ligamentum flavum

Question 29

Ventral ligaments

Answer 29

ALL
PLL

vertebral body ligaments

Question 30

deep muscles of the back

Answer 30

intertransversarii- covers the intertransverse ligaments
levatores costarum- meant to lift the ribs
rotatores thoracis

Question 31

Most centrally placed muscles

Answer 31

spinalis thoracis
longissimus thoracis
iliocostalis thoracis
multifidus
semispinalis thoracis

Question 32

serratus anterior

Answer 32

Long thoracic Nerve

Question 33

external intercostal

Answer 33

muscular posteriorly
membranous anteriorly

fibers run anteriorly and inferiorly

Question 34

internal intercostals

Answer 34

muscular anteriorly
membranous posteriorly

fibers run inferiorly and posteriorly

Question 35

innermost intercostals

Answer 35

membranous anteriorly and posteriorly
muscular in the midsection

fibers run same as internal intercostal
inferiorly and posteriorly

Question 36

serratus posterior superior and inferior

Answer 36

innervated ventral primary rami

Not innervated by dorsal primary rami

Question 37

erector spinae

Answer 37

live between angles of the ribs
innervated by posterior primary rami