Spinal Exam 2: Section VI - Thoracic or Dorsal Region Flashcards
Which thoracic segments are considered the typical throacics?
T2-T8 segments
What features will allow discrimination between T2-T4 and T5-T8 segmental groups?
the vertebral body, transverse process, articular process, and spinous process
What is the outline of the vertebral body of a typical thoracic form superior view?
triangular
What is the name given to the left side appearance of the vertebral body of T5-T8?
the aortic impression
What is the aortic impression?
the flattening of the superior and inferior epiphyseal rims on the left side of the vertebral body of T5-T8 which gives the vertebral body a less scalloped or less indented appearance on that side
What part of the vertebral body is most influenced by the aorta at T5-T8?
the left side superior and inferior epiphyseal rims
What is the height pattern of the typical thoracic vertebral body?
the posterior height is greater than the anterior height by one or two millimeters
What is the height pattern of intervertebral discs in the typical thoracic region?
the intervertebral discs are rather planar or flat with no apparent height difference between anterior and posterior heights
What is the principal cause of the posterior curve of the thoracic spine?
the vertebral body height differences
In terms of the anterior-posterior curves of the vertebral column, what direction will the thoracic spine face?
posterior
What is another way of naming a posterior curve pattern?
a kyphotic curve
What joint classifications are identified at the vertebral body of a typical thoracic?
fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis,
cartilaginous (amphiarthrosis) symphysis, and
synovial plane (diarthrosis arthrodia)
How many synovial joints are formed at the vertebral body of a typical thoracic?
four
How many symphesis joints are formed with the vertebral body of a typical thoracic?
two
How many joints are formed at the vertebral body of a typical thoracic?
typically ten (fourteen if the costocentral stellate/radiate ligaments are included)
What is the name given to the joint formed between the vertebral body and rib?
costocentral joint
How many costocentral joints are formed at the vertebral body of a typical thoracic?
four
What synovial joint surfaces are present on the vertebral body of a typical thoracic?
the right and left superior and the right and left inferior costal demi-facets
Which of the demi-facets on the vertebral body of a typical thoracic is larger?
the superior costal demi-facet
What feature will provide assistance in maintaining the stability of the intervertebral foramen in the typical thoracics?
the costocentral joint or ribs
What does the costocentral intra-articular or interarticular ligament connect to?
the interarticular or intra-articular crest of the head of the rib and the intervertebral disc
What is the size relationship between the articulating surface of the head of the rib and the costal demi-facet surface?
the rib surface is greater than the costal demi-facet surface
Which muscle(s) is attached to the vertebral body of T2 or T3?
the longus colli
What is the position and direction of the pedicle from the typical thoracic vertebral body?
the pedicle arises from the upper third of the vertebral body and projects posterior and slightly laterally
What is the angulation of the pedicle in the typical thoracic region?
ten to fifteen degrees posterolateral from the sagittal plane
Which x-ray view is used to see into the intervertebral foramen of a typical thoracic?
the lateral view
Which vertebral notch or incisure is said to be prominent?
the inferior vertebral notch or inferior vertebral incisure
What is the nerve - vertebral relationship at the typical thoracic intervertebral foramen?
in the intervertebral foramen, the number of the nerve is the same as the number of the upper thoracic in the vertebral couple
What is the rib - vertebral body relationship at the typical thoracic intervertebral foramen?
in the intervertebral foramen, the number of the rib is the same as the number of the lower thoracic in the vertebral couple
What is overlap of the lamina called in the typical thoracic region?
shingling
What is the outline of the vertebral foramen in the typical thoracic region?
oval to circular
In which plane will the size of the vertebral foramen of a typical thoracic be greatest?
the transverse plane, the vertebral transverse diameter
What is the direction of the transverse process in the typical thoracics?
the transverse process projects more posterior with each inferior vertebra
What is present at the tip of the transverse process of a typical thoracic?
the transverse tubercle
What is the distance between the transverse tubercles in the typical thoracic region?
from T2 each transverse diameter becomes shorter as the transverse processes angle more posterior
What is present on the transverse tubercle of a typical thoracic?
the transverse costal facet
What is the rib - transverse process relationship for the typical thoracics?
the number of the rib is the same as the number of the vertebra whose transverse process is being studied; fifth rib with T5 transverse process
What is the classification of the costotransverse joint?
synovial plane (diarthrosis arthrodia) joint
What are the osseous parts of the costotransverse joint?
the transverse costal facet and the articular surface of the tubercle of a rib
What ligaments support the costotransverse joint of a typical thoracic?
the superior costotransverse, inferior costotransverse, and lateral costotransverse ligaments
The superior costotransverse ligament of the transverse process of T4 will attach to rib ___?
five
The inferior costotransverse ligament of the the transverse process of T5 will attach to rib___?
five
The lateral costotransverse ligament of the transverse process of T5 will attach to rib ____?
five
What ligaments attach to the transverse process of a typical thoracic?
intertransverse, capsular costotransverse, superior costotransverse, inferior costotransverse, and lateral costotransverse ligaments
Which joint classification is associated with the intertransverse, superior costotransverse, inferior costotransverse and lateral costotransverse ligamens?
fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis joint
Which muscles may attach to the transverse process of a typical thoracic?
longissimus thoracis, longissimus cervicis, longissimus capitis, semispinalis thoracis, semispinalis cervicis, semispinalis capitis, multifidis, rotator longus, rotator brevis, intertransversarii, levator costarum longus, and levator costarum brevis
Of the muscles attaching to the transverse process of typical thoracics, which ones will attach only to the T5-T8 vertebral segments?
semispinalis thoracis and levator costarum longus
How do the transverse diameters of the articular processes compare in the T2-T4 region?
the superior articular process transverse diameter is greater than the inferior articular process transverse diameter for a given segment
How do the transverse diameters of the articular processes compare in the T5-T8 region?
the superior articular process transverse diameter is the same as or equal to the inferior articular process transverse diameter for a given segment
What is the orientation of the superior articular facet of a typical thoracic?
they face backward, upward, and lateral (BUL)
What is the angulation of the articular facet of a typical thoracic?
about ten to twenty degrees from the coronal plane; sixty degrees from the horizontal plane
What is the orientation of the inferior articular facet of a typical thoracic?
they face forward, downward, and medial (ForMeD)
What is the curvature of the superior articular facet of a typical thoracic?
they are slightly convex
What is the curvature of the inferior articular facet of a typical thoracic?
they are slightly concave
What is the joint classification of the articular facet joint?
synovial plane (diarthrosis arthrodia) joint
How many synovial joints are present at a typical thoracic?
ten
Identify the synovial surfaces present on a typical thoracic?
two superior costal demi-facets, two inferior costal demi-facets, two transverse costal facets, two superior articular facets, two inferior articular facets
What is the pars interarticularis?
the region between the superior and inferior articular processes
What is the name given to the overlap of spinous processes in the thoracic region?
imbrication
Imbrication will be more pronounced for what region of the thoracicis?
T5-T8
Which thoracic has the longest spinous process?
T8
What is the angulation of the spinous process of T2-T4?
the undersurface of T2-T4 spinous processes will angle up to forty degrees from the horizontal plane
What is the angulation of the spinous process of T5-T8?
the undersurface of T5-T8 spinous processes will angle up to sixty degrees from the horizontal plane
What ligaments attach to the spinous process of a typical thoracic?
the interspinous and supraspinous ligaments
What joint classification is associated with typical thoracic spinous process ligaments?
fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis joint
Which muscles may attach to the spinous process of a typical thoracic?
trapezius, latissimus dorsi,rhomboid major, serratus posterior superior,
splenius cervicis, splenius capitis,
spinalis thoracis, spinalis cervicis, spinalis capitis,
semispinalis thoracis, multifidis, rotator longus, rotator brevis, and interspinalis
Which muscles attaching to the spinous process of a typical thoracic are not included in any muscle layer of the true back?
splenius cervicis, splenius capitis, and interspinalis
What joint classifications are present at every typical thoracic vertebra?
fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis,
cartilaginous (amphiarthrosis) symphysis, and
synovial plane (diarthrosis arthrodia)
The fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis joint will occur at what parts of a typical thoracic vertebra?
vertebral body, lamina, transverse process, and spinous process
At what part(s) of a typical thoracic vertebra will the synovial plane (diarthrosis arthrodia) joint be observed?
vertebral body, transverse process, articular process
What is the appearance of the superior surface of the vertebral body of T1?
it is somewhat cup-shaped with elevations at the posterior and lateral margin
What may the elevations on the vertebral body of T1 represent?
uncinate processes
What is the appearance of the inferior surface of the vertebral body of T1?
typically flat, lacking anterior and posterior lips characteristic of the cervicals
How many synovial joints are formed at the vertebral body of T1?
four normally
How many symphysis joints are formed with the vertebral body of T1?
two
How many syndesmosis joints are formed at the vertebral body of T1?
typically four are identified (as many as eight if the rib articulation is included)