Thoracic spine

Question 1

what is the thoracic spine?

Answer 1

the second segment of the vertebral column

Question 2

where is the thoracic spine located?

Answer 2

between the cervical and lumbar vertebral segments

Question 3

what does the thoracic spine consist of? separated by?

Answer 3

twelve vertebrae, which are separated by intervertebral discs

Question 4

what does the thoracic spine form along with sternum and ribs?

Answer 4

forms part of the thoracic cage

Question 5

what is the function of the thoracic cage?

Answer 5

This bony structure helps protect the internal viscera – such as the heart, lungs and oesophagus

Question 6

what are the distinguishable features of the thoracic vertebrae?

Answer 6

1. Vertebral body is heart shaped.
2. Presence of demi-facets on the sides of each vertebral body
3. Presence of costal facets on the transverse processes
4. The spinous processes are long and slant inferiorly

Question 7

what do the demi-facets on the sides of each thoracic vertebral body articulate with?

Answer 7

articulate with the heads of the ribs

Question 8

what do the costal facets on the transverse processes articulate with? where are they present?

Answer 8

these articulate with the tubercles of the ribs. They are present on T1-T10 only

Question 9

why do the spinous processes long and slant inferiorly?

Answer 9

This offers increased protection to the spinal cord, preventing an object such as a knife entering the spinal canal

Question 10

where are the superior and inferior costal facets located?

Answer 10

on the sides of each vertebral body

Question 11

what do the superior and inferior costal facets consist of? what do they articulate with?

Answer 11

They consist of cartilage lined depressions, which articulate with the heads of the ribs

Question 12

what does the superior costal facet articulate with?

Answer 12

the head of the adjacent rib

Question 13

what does the inferior costal facet articulate with?

Answer 13

articulates with the head of the rib below

Question 14

what are the facets like in the majority of the vertebrae? which vertebrae exactly?

Answer 14

(T2-T9) these facets are demi-facets. There are some atypical vertebrae that possess whole facets

Question 15

what does atypical vertebrae display variation in?

Answer 15

size, location and number of their superior and inferior costal facets

Question 16

what is the superior facet of T1 like?

Answer 16

T1 – Superior facet is not a demifacet, as this is the only vertebrae to articulate with the 1st rib

Question 17

what are the facets of T10 like?

Answer 17

A single pair of whole facets is present which articulate with the 10th rib. These facets are located across both the vertebral body and the pedicle

Question 18

what are the facets of T11 and T12 like?

Answer 18

Each have a single pair of entire costal facets, which are located on the pedicles

Question 19

what are the types of joints that are present throughout the vertebral column?

Answer 19

1. Between vertebral bodies
2. Between vertebral arches – formed by the articulation of superior and inferior articular processes from adjacent vertebrae. It is a synovial type joint.

Question 20

what are the joints that are present between vertebral bodies?

Answer 20

adjacent vertebral bodies are joined by intervertebral discs

Question 21

what are IV discs made of?

Answer 21

fibrocartilage

Question 22

what type of joint is between vertebral bodies? known as?

Answer 22

This is a type of cartilaginous joint, known as a symphysis

Question 23

what are joints specific to the thoracic spine?

Answer 23

The articulations between the vertebrae and the ribs are unique to the thoracic spine

Question 24

for each rib, how many separate articulations are there? what are they?

Answer 24

two separate articulations – costovertebral and costotransverse

Question 25

what does each costovertebral joint consists of?

Answer 25

the head of the rib articulating

Question 26

what does the head and the rib articulate with in costovertebral joint?

Answer 26

Superior costal facet of the corresponding vertebra
Inferior costal facet of the superior vertebra
Intervertebral disc separating the two vertebrae

Question 27

within the costovertebral joint, what attaches the rib head to the IV disc?

Answer 27

the intra-articular ligament of head of rib

Question 28

what type of movement can occur at the costovertebral joints? why?

Answer 28

Only slight gliding movements can occur at these joints, due to the close articulation of their components

Question 29

what is the costotransverse joint formed by?

Answer 29

by the articulation of transverse processes of a thoracic vertebra and the tubercle of the adjacent rib

Question 30

where is the costotransverse joint present?

Answer 30

They are present in all vertebrae except T11 and T12