Thoracic Spine

Question 1

Typical thoracic vertebrae (T2-T10)

Answer 1

• pedicles are directed posterioly from the body
• reduced size of vertebral canal in comparison to cervical region
• large transverse process projected posterior-laterally
• containing a costal facet that articulates with the tubercle of the corresponding rib
• spinous process is long & projected downward, overlaps with the next inferior vertebra
• facet joints are oriented nearly vertically –the superior facets face posterior & inferior facets face anterior
• ribs articulate with thoracic vertebrae posteriorly
  -head of rib 2-10 form a costovertebral joint by articulating at the junction of T1 & T2 through T9&T10 vertebral bodies
  -As ribs curve posteriorly, each also articulate with the transverse process of its vertebra

Question 2

T1

Answer 2

• Has a full costal facet superiorly–accomodates entire head of 1st rib
• has a partial costal facet inferiorly–accomodates part if the head of 2nd rib
• spinous process of T1 is often as prominent as the spinous process of C7

Question 3

T11 & T12

Answer 3

• The bodies of T11 & T12 each have a single costal facets. The full costal facets articulates with the heads of the 11 & 12 ribs
• The neck of the ribs 11 & 12 typically do not form articulations with the corespondig transverse processes (floating ribs)

Question 4

Costovertebral joints

Answer 4

A typical rib articulates with:
* bodies of adjacent veretbrae, forming joint of the head of rib
* transverse process of its related vertebra, forming costotransverse joint

Costovertebral joints allow ribs to:
* Rotate around their longitudinal axis- Mainly in the upper ribs
* Ascend and desend relative to vertebral column- Mainly in lower ribs
* combines mvmt of all ribs–essential for altering the volume of thoracic cavity during breathing

Question 5

Joints of head of rib

Answer 5

• 2 facets on head of ribs that articulate with vertebral bodies
• each facet is seperated by an intraarticular ligament forming 2 synovial compartments.
• 2 synovial compartments & intraarticular ligaments are surrounded by a single joint capsule

Question 6

Costotransverse joints

Answer 6

Synovial joints are between the tubercle of ribs & the transverse process of related vertebra:
* capsule surrounding each joint is thin
* joint is stabalizing 2 strong ligaments that span the space between transverse process & rib on medial & lateral sides of joint
-costotransverse lig (medial)
-lateral costotransverse lig (lateral)
* A 3rd lig, superior costotransverse lig, attaches the surface of neck of rib to transverse process of vertebra above