Thoracic spine

Question 1

What are the 6 key characteristics of thoracic vertebrae?

Answer 1

Medium, heart-shaped vertebral bodies
Small, circular vertebral foramen
Prominent transverse processes with superior + inferior costal facets (cartilage-lined) = articulate with ribs (NOT T11 or T12)
Demi-facets (T2-8) or whole facets (T9-10) on side of vertebral body = articulate with heads of ribs
Long, spinous process angulated inferiorly
Articular facets 20 degrees to coronal plane, 60 degrees to axial plane (permit lateral flexion + rotation NOT flexion/extension)

Question 2

Which ribs attach to the sternum?

Answer 2

Ribs 1-7

Question 3

Which ribs attach to costal cartilages of rib superior to them?

Answer 3

Ribs 8-10

Question 4

Which ribs don’t have an anterior attachment?

Answer 4

11 + 12

Question 5

What is significant about the costal facets of T1?

Answer 5

Superior facet = whole facet (as only vertebra to articulate with 1st rib)
Inferior = demi-facet

Question 6

What is significant about the costal facets of T9 + T10?

Answer 6

Single pair of whole facets articulate with 9th + 10th ribs

On vertebral body + pedicle

Question 7

What is significant about the costal facets of T11 + T12?

Answer 7

Each has a single pair of whole facets on pedicles

Question 8

From T1 to T12, what happens to the spinous process?

Answer 8

Shorter + less oblique

Question 9

Where does the superior demi-facet articulate? Inferior?

Answer 9

Superior = head of adjacent rib
Inferior = head of rib below

Question 10

Where does the tubercle of the rib articulate?

Answer 10

Costal facet on transverse process of same-numbered vertebra