Musculo Skeletal Anatomy - Week 3 - Osteology of the Thoracic region

Question 1

Name the Ligaments of the thoracic vertebrae.

Answer 1

• Anterior longitudinal ligament
• Posterior longitudinal ligament
• Ligamentum flavum
• Interspinous ligament
• Supraspinous ligament
• Joint capsules

Question 2

What are the Atypical vertebrae of the thoracic region?

Answer 2

T1, T9, T10, T11, T12

Question 3

Why is T1 an Atypical vertebrae?

Answer 3

T1 resembles C7 and has 1 facet for the first rib.

Question 4

Why is T9 - 12 an Atypical vertebrae?

Answer 4

the rib
articulations vary

Question 5

Why are T11 and T12 Atypical?

Answer 5

They resemble
lumbar vertebrae.

Question 6

What are the features of a typical thoracic vertebrae?

Answer 6

Vertebral body
- Heart shaped
- Have costal facets (T11 and T12) or demi facets for rib heads (T1 - T10)

Pedicles

Laminae

Vertebral Foramen

Spinous process
- Long, slender, with triangular
shape in cross-section

Articular processes

Transverse processes
- Large, thick, strong, and long

Superior and Inferior costal demifacet/facet
- Superior facet orientated
superolateral and posterior
direction
- Inferior facet orientated
inferomedial and anterior
direction

Intervertebral disc

Question 7

What are the features of the intervertebral joint?

Answer 7

• Connects the body of
  vertebrae with each others
• They are secondary
  cartilaginous joints
  composed of fibrocartilage
  (fibrocartilaginous joints)
• Amphiarthroses–allow only
  slight movement

Question 8

What are the features of the facet joint?

Answer 8

• These are joints of the vertebral arches
• Joints between the
  superior and inferior
  articular processes on adjoining vertebrae
• Enclosed by a thin and loose fibrous capsule

Question 9

What are the features of the thoracic curve?

Answer 9

• Typical range of 20-50 degrees
  average 45 deg and less than 55 deg
• Present from birth as the primary
  curve
• Changes due to anatomic or postural
  reasons
• Changes to thoracic curve may change
  cervical and lumbar curves

Question 10

What are the biomechanics of the thoracic spine?

Answer 10

• The shape and orientation of the
  facet joints in the thoracic spine allow for large rotational and lateral flexion movements, but limit
  flexion and extension
• In the lower thoracic spine, extension movements
  are more available because the facet joint orientation
  gradually changes to become more sagittal