Thoracic or Dorsal Region: Typical Thoracic Vertebrae T2-T8

Question 1

Which thoracic segments are considered the typical thoracics?

Answer 1

T2-T8 segments

Question 2

Which thoracic segments are considered to be the atypical thoracics?

Answer 2

T1, T9-T12

Question 3

What features will allow discrimination between T2-T4 and T5-T8 segmental groups?

Answer 3

the vertebral body transverse process, articular process and spinous process

Question 4

What is the outline of the vertebral body of a typical thoracic from superior view?

Answer 4

triangular

Question 5

What is the name given to the left side appearance of the vertebral body of T5-T8?

Answer 5

the aortic impression

Question 6

What part of the vertebral body is most influenced by the aorta at T5-T8?

Answer 6

the left side superior and inferior epiphyseal rims

Question 7

What is the height pattern of the typical thoracic vertebral body?

Answer 7

the posterior height is greater than the anterior height by one to two millimeters

Question 8

What is the principal cause of the posterior curve of the thoracic spine?

Answer 8

the vertebral body height differences

Question 9

In terms of the anterior-posterior curves of the vertebral column, what direction will the thoracic spine face?

Answer 9

posterior

Question 10

What is another way of naming a posterior curve pattern?

Answer 10

kyphotic curve

Question 11

What joint classifications are identified at the vertebral body of a typical thoracic?

Answer 11

fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis, cartilaginous (amphiarthrosis) symphasis and synovial plane (diarthrosis arthrodia)

Question 12

How many synovial joints are formed with the vertebral body of a typical thoracic?

Answer 12

four

Question 13

How many symphysis joints are formed with the vertebral body of a typical thoracic?

Answer 13

two

Question 14

How many joints are formed at the vertebral body of a typical thoracic?

Answer 14

typically ten (fourteen if the costocentral stellate/radiate ligaments are included)

Question 15

Which of the demi-facets on the vertebral body of a typical thoracic is larger?

Answer 15

the superior costal demi-facet

Question 16

What feature will provide assistance in maintaining the stability of the intervertebral foramen in the typical thoracics?

Answer 16

the costocentral joint or ribs

Question 17

What is the rib- vertebral body combination at the intervertebral foramen for the ____ nerve? Let’s use the T6 nerve.

Answer 17

the inferior costal demi-facet of T6 will joint with the superior articular surface of the head of the seventh rib
the superior costal demi-facet of T7 will joint with the inferior articular surface of the head of the seventh rib

Question 18

What ligaments support the costocentral joint?

Answer 18

the costocentral stellate/ radiate ligament and the costocentral interarticular or intra-articular ligament

Question 19

What does the costocentral intra-articular or interarticular ligament connect to?

Answer 19

the interarcticular or intra-articular crest of the head of the rib and the intervertebral disc

Question 20

What is the size relationship between the articulating surface of the head of the rib and the costal demi-facet surface?

Answer 20

the rib surface is greater than the costal demi-facet

Question 21

Which muscle(s) is attached to the vertebral body of T2 or T3?

Answer 21

the longus colli

Question 22

What is the angulation of the pedicle in the typical thoracic region?

Answer 22

ten to fifteen degrees posterolateral from the sagittal plane

Question 23

Which X-ray view is used to see into the intervertebral foramen of a typical thoracic?

Answer 23

the lateral view

Question 24

What is overlap of the lamina called in the typical thoracic region?

Answer 24

shingling

Question 25

What is the outline of the vertebral foramen in the typical thoracic region?

Answer 25

oval to circular

Question 26

In which plane will the size of the vertebral foramen of a typical thoracic be greatest?

Answer 26

the transverse plane, the vertebral transverse diameter

Question 27

What ligaments support the costotransverse joint of a typical thoracic?

Answer 27

the superior costotransverse, inferior costotransverse, and lateral costotransverse ligaments

Question 28

The superior costotransverse ligament of the transverse process of T4 will attach to rib ____.

Answer 28

five

Question 29

The inferior costotransverse ligament of the transverse process of the T5 will attach to rib ____.

Answer 29

five

Question 30

The lateral costotransverse ligament of the transverse process of T5 will attach to rib ____.

Answer 30

five

Question 31

Which muscles may attach to the transverse process of a typical thoracic?

Answer 31

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

Question 32

How do the transverse diameters of the articular process compare in the T2-T4 region?

Answer 32

the superior articular process transverse diameter is the greater than the inferior articular process transverse diameter for a given segment

Question 33

How do the transverse diameters of the articular processes compare in the T5-T8 region?

Answer 33

the superior articular process transverse diameter is the same as or equal to the inferior articular process transverse diameter for a given segment

Question 34

What is the orientation of the superior articular facet of a typical thoracic?

Answer 34

they face backward, upward, and lateral (BUL)

Question 35

What is the orientation of the inferior articular facet of a typical thoracic?

Answer 35

they face forward, downward, and medial (ForMeD)

Question 36

How many synocial joints are present at a typical thoracic?

Answer 36

ten

Question 37

How many synovial joints surfaces for ribs that are present on a typical thoracic?

Answer 37

six

Question 38

Identify the synovial joint surfaces for ribs that are present on a typical thoracic

Answer 38

two superior costal demi-facets, two inferior costal demi facets, two transverse costal facets

Question 39

What name is given to the region between the superior and inferior articular processes in the typical thoracics?

Answer 39

the pars interarticularis

Question 40

What is the orientation of the spinous process of a typical thoracic?

Answer 40

they slant backward and downward

Question 41

What is the name given to the overlap of spinous processes in the thoracic region?

Answer 41

imbrication

Question 42

Imbrication will be more pronounced for what region of the thoracics?

Answer 42

T5-8

Question 43

Which thoracic has the longest spinous process?

Answer 43

T8

Question 44

Which muscles may attach to the spinous process of a typical thoracic?

Answer 44

trapezious, latissimus dorsi, rhomboid major, serratus posterior superior, splenius cervicis, splenius capitis, spinalis thoracis, spinalis cervicis, spinalis capitis, semispinalis thoracis, multifidis, roatator longus, rotator brevis and interspinalis

Question 45

Which muscles attaching to the spinous process of a typical thoracic are not included in any muscle layer of the true back?

Answer 45

splenius cervicis, splenius capitis and interspinalis

Question 46

What joint classifications are present at every typical thoracic vertebra?

Answer 46

fibrous (amphiarthosis) syndesmosis, cartilaginous (amphiarthorsis) symphysis and synovial plane (diarthrosis arthrodia)