Thoracic Anatomy Flashcards
Which thoracic vertebrae do not have paired costal demi-facets posterolaterally?
T10-12
What is the role of the demifacets?
articulate with ribs (superior demifacet articulates with same level rib, inferior demifacet articulates with rib below spinal level)
What motions do the pedicles limit?
extension
Which facets are convex and which are concave?
superior is convex and inferior is concave
What is the thoracic rule of 3 for the spinous processes?
T1-3 have spinous process at same level
T4-6 have spinous processes a half level below
T7-9 have spinous processes one level below
T10 the spinous process is one level below
T11 the spinous process is a half level below
T12 the spinous process is at the same level
What are the 3 parts of the sternum?
manubrium
body
xyphoid process
How many pairs of ribs are there? How pairs are true? How many pairs are false? How many floating ribs?
12 pairs of ribs
7 pairs of ‘true’ ribs (connect to sternum directly)
5 pairs of ‘false’ ribs (connect to sternum via cartilage)
11th and 12th ribs are floating
What is the disc to body ratio for thoracic vertebrae?
1:5 (contributes to the lack of mobility in T spine)
some report annulus is stronger and this helps the T spine resist rotational stress
True or False: Thoracic spine vertebrae commonly have abnormalities in asymptomatic patients
True
What motions do the facet joints allow for?
Flexion (upward gliding)
Extension (downward gliding)
Rotation (sideways gliding)
Which ribs do not articulate with two separate ribs?
Ribs 1, 10, 11, and 12
Which costotransverse joints are convex/concave? Which are planar? What does this joint structure account for?
upper joints are convex/cave
lower joints are planar
said to account for the ‘spin’ (rotation) of the upper ribs and ‘slide’ (elevation/depression) of the lower ribs
Transition of upper to lower T-spine is around the T7 level
What are the 4 neural arch ligaments?
- ligamentum flavum
- interspinous ligament
- supraspinous ligament
- intertransverse ligament
(grade together at their boundaries to function as a single unit)
What represents a bridge between neural arch ligaments and those of the vertebral body?
What supports this structure dorsally and ventrally?
Capsular ligaments
dorsally supported by multifidus and ventrally by ligamentum flavum
What are the vertebral body ligaments?
Anterior longitudinal ligament and posterior longitudinal ligament
