Spinal Biomechanics: Thoracic

Question 1

Typical Biomechanics T2-T8
_____ processes are thick, strong and long
_____ processes are long and slender
_____ jts on side of vertebral body articulate w rib heads
_____ jts on TPs articulate w tubercles of ribs

Answer 1

transverse
spinous
costovertebral
costotransverse

Question 2

Typical Biomechanics T2-T8
Articular facets form a ___* angle from the transverse toward the coronal plane and a ___* angle from the coronal toward the sagittal plane

Answer 2

60*

20*

Question 3

Atypical Biomechanics T1 and T9-12
T1 resembles C___; has whole facet for articulation w __
T9-T12 have facets located ____ for articulation w ribs
T11 and T12 begin to look like____ vertebrae

Answer 3

C7; 1st rib
variations on location of facets on body and TPs
Lumbar

Question 4

Thoracic Curve
\_\_\_\_\_\_ curve of \_\_\_\_\_*
Begins at T\_\_\_\_ and extends to T\_\_\_\_
Apex is at T\_\_\_\_ disc space
\_\_\_\_ary curve in development

Answer 4

Kyphotic; 20-50*
T1-2 to T12
T6-7
Primary

Question 5

Thoracic Disc
Disc height to body ratio ___, smallest ratio on the spine
Contributes to ____ flexibility in the throracic spine
_____ located centrally within annulus
_____ limit motion

Answer 5

1:5 ratio
Decreased
Nucleus pulposis
Ribs

Question 6

Thoracic Flexion and Extension
Combined flex-ext averages ___*; ___ in upper, ___ in middle, ___ in lower
Combines sagittal plane ___ w slight sag plane ___

Answer 6

6; 4; 6; 12

rotation w slight translation

Question 7

Thoracic Lateral Flexion
Avg about ___* to each side
Upper T lat. flex is coupled w ___; occurs to ___ side
Upper thoracic movement is restricted by ____
In mid and lower T, coupling occurs in ____ direction

Answer 7

6*
axial rotation; same
ribs
either

Question 8

Thoracic Lateral Flexion

The disc and the facet joint _____ on the side of lateral flexion and _____ on the side opposite lateral flexion

Answer 8

approximate; separate

Question 9

Thoracic Lateral Flexion
Upper T inferior articular facets glide ____ on side of lateral flexion and ____ on the side opposite lateral flexion do to strong coupled axial rotation.

Answer 9

Medially; laterally

Question 10

Thoracic Rotation
Upper T avg ROM is ____* to each side
Rotation decreases in ____ T and is minimal in _____ T
Upper T rotation is coupled with same-side _____
Inf. facet glides ____ on same side and ____ on opposite

Answer 10

8-9*
middle; lower
lateral flexion
inferiorly; superiorly

Question 11

Thoracic ROM

Flex-Ext is greatest at ____ and least at ____

Answer 11

Greatest at T11-T12, T12-L1 = 12-13 (4-13)

Least at T1-6 = 4 (4-13)

Question 12

Lateral flexion is greatest at ____ and least at _____

Answer 12

Greatest at T11-T12 = 8-9 (5-9)

Least at T1-2, T3-4 = 5 (5-9)

Question 13

Rotation is greatest at ___; least at ____

Answer 13

Greatest T1-T2, T8-T9 = 9 (2-9)

Least T10-11, T11-12, T12-L1 = 2 (2-9)

Question 14

Rib Articulations
___ true ribs
___ false ribs; including ___ floating ribs

Answer 14

7 true

5 false; 2 floating

Question 15

Costoverteral Joints
___ lig. joins rib head to vertebral bodies
___ lig. joins anterior surfaces of vert. bodies together
___ lig joins TP to rib

Answer 15

Radiate
Anterior longitudinal
Lateral costotransverse

Question 16

Costovertebral Joints
___ lig joins TPs from top to bottom
___ lig. joins rib to adjacent superior TP

Answer 16

Intertransverse

Superior costotransverse

Question 17

What are the three motions of the rib cage?

Answer 17

Pump handle action (increases A-P diameter)
Bucket handle action (increases transverse diameter)
Caliper action (increases lateral diameter)