Joints of the thorax

Question 1

Name the joints of the thorax

Answer 1

costochondral joint
manubriosternal joint
xiphisternal joint
sternocostal joints
interchondral joints
costotransverse joints
costovertebral joints

Question 2

costochondral joint classification

Answer 2

primary cartilaginous joint
An articulation between the anterior roughened end of the rib and the lateral end of the rib cartilage.

Question 3

costochondral joint movement

Answer 3

Slight bending of the cartilage at the junction of the rib.
The cartilage may show some twisting movement at the sternum

Question 4

manubriosternal joint classification

Answer 4

secondary cartilaginous joint
articulation between the inferior surface of the manubrium and the upper body of the surface of the sternum.
bone ends are covered with hyaline cartilage, between which is a fibrocartilaginous disc.

Question 5

ligaments present in the manubriosternal joint

Answer 5

Longitudinal fibrous bands: strengthen the joint anteriorly and posteriorly.
Sternocostal radiate ligaments: provide further strength

Question 6

movement available at the manubriosternal joint

Answer 6

Small amount of movement (7°) at the joint.

Question 7

describe the xiphisternal joint

Answer 7

secondary cartilaginous joint.
xiphoid process = irregular shaped piece of cartilage
joins the body of the sternum
supported all around by fibrous capsule.

Question 8

sternocostal joint classification

Answer 8

between the medial end of the costal cartilage and the 1st to 7th ribs and the Sternum.
joint between 1st costal cartilage and the Sternum: primary cartilaginous joint (synchondrosis)
rest: synovial joints, having a fibrous capsule and anterior and posterior radiate ligaments.

Question 9

ligament arrangement in sternocostal joints

Answer 9

Radiate ligaments: pass upwards and medially /// , horizontally — , and downwards and medially \.

Question 10

movement available at sternocostal joints

Answer 10

allow the medial end of the cartilage to slide up and down when the rib is raised and lowered during respiration

Question 11

Interchondral Joints classification

Answer 11

formed between the tips of the costal cartilages of the 8th, 9th and 10th ribs and the lower border of the cartilage above.
The 8th and 9th joints = synovial
10th = fibrous joint.

Question 12

Interchondral Joints ligaments

Answer 12

oblique ligament: strengthens fibrous capsule that surrounds ligaments anteriorly & posteriorly

Question 13

movement available at the interchondral joints

Answer 13

slight gliding movements

Question 14

costotransverse joints classification

Answer 14

Synovial, plane joints
articulation between the rib tubercles & transverse process of their corresponding vertebrae

Question 15

costotransverse joints articular surfaces

Answer 15

Transverse process (articular facet)
Tubercle of the rib

Question 16

costotransverse joints joint capsule

Answer 16

thin, fibrous capsule surrounds the joint

Question 17

costotransverse joints ligaments

Answer 17

lateral & superior costotransverse ligaments
costotransverse ligament

Question 18

lateral costotransverse ligament origin

Answer 18

Tip of the transverse process

Question 19

lateral costotransverse ligament insertion

Answer 19

Roughened lateral part of the costal tubercle.

Question 20

costotransverse ligament origin

Answer 20

Front of the transverse process, medial to the facet.

Question 21

costotransverse ligament insertion

Answer 21

back of the neck of the rib

Question 22

how does the costotransverse ligament limit movement?

Answer 22

Binding the rib to the transverse process

Question 23

superior costotransverse ligament origin

Answer 23

Under surface of the transverse process of the vertebra above.

Question 24

superior costotransverse ligament insertion

Answer 24

Anterior band – from the rib upwards and laterally
Posterior band- from the rib upwards and medially

Question 25

how does the superior costotransverse ligament limit movement?

Answer 25

Binding the rib to the transverse process

Question 26

Costovertebral Joints classification

Answer 26

Synovial, plane joints between the facet on the head of the rib and the demi-facets on the vertebrae

Question 27

Costovertebral Joints articular surfaces

Answer 27

Facet on the head of the rib
Demi-facets on body of the vertebrae

Question 28

Costovertebral Joints joint capsule

Answer 28

A loose fibrous capsule surrounds the joint
an intraarticular ligament completely divides the joint space, each part of which is lined by synovial membrane

Question 29

ligaments present in the costovertebral joints

Answer 29

intra-articular lig.
radiate lig. of head of the rib

Question 30

describe the arrangement of the intra-articular ligament as part of the costovertebral joints

Answer 30

this short, thick band
passes from the crest of the head of the rib to the intervertebral disc
divides the joint cavity into two parts

Question 31

describe the arrangement of the radiate ligament of the head of the rib as part of the costovertebral joints

Answer 31

ligament passes from the front of the head, under cover of the lateral part of the anterior longitudinal ligament.
3 bands of fibres: radiating upwards to the body of the vertebra above, horizontally to the front of the intervertebral disc and inferiorly to the body of the vertebra below.

Question 32

movement available at the costovertebral joints

Answer 32

small @ joint but magnifies due to rib length
As the rib is raised or lowered there is a twisting, gliding movement at the costovertebral joints
lower joints: gliding and rotation of one plane surface against the other
higher joints: movement tends to be one of rotation due to curved nature of joint surfaces