Thoracic Spine Flashcards
What is the thoracic spine’s normal curvature?
Kyphosis
True or false: Most thoracic spines have some right convexity
True - accommodating the heart
What percentage of the spinal cord does the thoracic spine house?
75% - ends at t12/l1
True or false: Thoracic spine provides most of the sympathetic nervous system
True - parasympathetic is above and below
What composes the thoracic cage?
12 vertebrae; 12 pairs of ribs, sternum
What is unique about the thoracic vertebral facets?
Articulation with ribs
Costal Facets/Demi facets
Where are the costal facets/demi facets located?
TP and VB
What is spinous process imbrication in the thoracic spine?
The overlapping of spinous processes
True or false: Thoracic spinous processes are the longest
True
What is the level of imbrication?
T5-T8
True or false: Thoracic IVF and central canal are the smallest
True - stenosis(narrowing) considerations
What is the typical shape of the thoracic vertebral body?
Heart shaped - more rectangular in upper - more kidney bean in lower
True or false: Typical thoracic surface is concave
True
How many facets on a thoracic vertebra?
10
How many processes on a thoracic vertebra?
7
True or false: t2-t9 are typical thoracic segments
True
What is the difference in height between the anterior and posterior vertebral body?
1-2mm shorter anteriorly
From where do the thoracic pedicles originate?
Upper 1/3 of vertebral body
True or false: the thoracic pedicles are notched inferiorly
True
How are thoracic pedicles oriented differently than lumbar and cervical pedicles?
Thoracic pedicles project straight back from the vertebral body (look for pedicle shadows)
True or false: Superior articular process and inferior articular process are thin and oval
True
True or false: Superior articular process and inferior articular process project from the pars interarticularis
True
What direction does the superior articular process facet face in a thoracic vertebra?
Superior, posterior, slight lateral
What direction does the inferior articular process facet face in a thoracic vertebra?
Inferior, anterior, slight medial
What angle to the horizontal plane does the joint of the SAP and IAP form?
60 degrees to the horizontal
Describe the thoracic laminae
Thick, broad, imbricated
Describe an interlaminar space
The space seen only on an X-ray between the lamina of two vertebrae
What is the typical shape of an interlaminar space in the thoracic spine?
Kidney bean shape
What is typical shape of an interlaminar space in the lumber spine?
Oval shape
Describe the transverse processes of thoracic vertebra
Originating at the pars
Thick - club like
Decreasing in size t1-t12
With oval facets articulate with rib tubercle
What is the level of imbrication of the spinous processes of the thoracic vertebra?
T5-t8 (important for adjusting)
Which thoracic vertebra are considered atypical?
T1, t9-12
In what ways is t1 an atypical vertebra?
Body is more rectangular (similar to cervical)
Full costal facet on posterior/superior body (Rib one only contacts t1)
Spinous process is anticlinal
In what ways are T9/T10 atypical vertebra?
Full costal facets on the body (rib articulating with just one VB)
Costal facets are shift posteriorly as well
In what ways are t11/t12 atypical vertebra?
Costal facets are on pedicles
Rib articulates with only one facet
TP no longer has facets
True or false: Superior articular processes of t12 is typical while the inferior articular processes are atypical
True
Describe how the inferior articular processes of t12 are atypical
Face anterior and lateral
Tend to be rounded and convex
Which thoracic spinous processes are anticlinal?
T1 and t11
What is meant by the critical zone in the thoracic spine?
Smallest spinal canal from t4-t9
True or false: ribs angle inferiorly from the spine as they move anteriorly
True
Which ribs connect directly to the sternum with their own costal cartilage?
Ribs 1-7
Which ribs joint other costal cartilage to connect to the sternum?
Ribs 8-10
Which rib is the longest?
Rib 7
Which ribs do not connect to the sternum at all?
Ribs 11-12
Which ribs are true ribs?
Ribs 1-7
Which ribs are false ribs?
Ribs 8-12
True or false: ribs increase in length from rib 1-7 and decrease in length from 8-12
True
What occurs at the angle of the rib?
The rib begins to flatten
Which ribs are vertebrosternal ribs?
Ribs 1-7
Which ribs are vertebrochondral ribs?
Ribs 8-10
Which ribs are floating/vertebral ribs?
Ribs 11-12
What type of cartilage is costal cartilage?
Hyaline cartilage
True or false: costal cartilage tends to calcify and it’s no big deal
True
