Thoracic Spine

Question 1

List the main structures in the thoracic region

Answer 1

Vertebral column, ribs, intercostal spaces, costal cartilages, sternum

Question 2

What is the function of the thoracic cage?

Answer 2

Protect vital organs, provide muscle attachments, assist respiration

Question 3

How many vertebrae in the thoracic region?

Answer 3

12 (alongside sternum and 12 pairs of ribs)

Question 4

List the features of a typical thoracic vertebra

Answer 4

Body, pedicles, vertebral foramen, articular processes, costal facets, transverse processes, lamina, spinous processes

Question 5

Describe the articulations of atypical T1

Answer 5

Articulates with a single facet of its own rib

Question 6

What do T10 and 11 lack?

Answer 6

Inferior demi-facets on their bodies

Question 7

What do T11 and 12 lack and what do they articulate only with?

Answer 7

Lack transverse costal facets, articulate only with heads of their own ribs

Question 8

What is the rule of three?

Answer 8

1-3 SP and TP equal, 4-6 SP 1/2 level below TP, S7-9 SP 1 level below TP, 10 1 level below, 11 1/2 level below, 12 equal

Question 9

List the points of relation

Answer 9

C2= prominent
C6 disappears on extension
C7 = vertebra prominens
T3 = root of spine of scapula
T7 = inferior angle of scapula
L4 = iliac crest
S2 = PSIS

Question 10

List the types of ribs and how many

Answer 10

True ribs (7 upper), false ribs (remaining 5 pairs), floating ribs (11 and 12)

Question 11

What are costal cartilages?

Answer 11

Bars of hyaline cartilage that prolong the ribs forward and contribute to the elasticity of the walls of the thorax

Question 12

List the features of typical ribs

Answer 12

3-9, head, neck, crest, tubercle, shaft

Question 13

List the features and attachments of first rib

Answer 13

Head, neck, tubercle, scalene tubercle, 2 grooves (subclavian artery groove and subclavian vein groove) and upper surface, rib is flat and slopes inferiorly and attaches to manubrium

Question 14

Describe second rib

Answer 14

Like rib 1, but twice as long

Question 15

What type of joint is the intervertebral?

Answer 15

Symphysis (fibrocartilage), secondary cartilaginous

Question 16

What type of joint is the zygaphophyseal (facet) and what are the articulations?

Answer 16

Synovial plane, between articular processes of two adjacent-inferior process of superior vertebra and superior articular process of the vertebra below

Question 17

What type of joint is the costovertebral, joint type and articulations

Answer 17

Synovial plane

Connects ribs to vertebral column - head of rib to costal facets of corresponding vertebra and vertebra above
, heads of 1st, 11th, 12th (10th) ribs only articulate with corresponding vertebra

Question 18

List the types of costotransverse joints and articulations

Answer 18

Synchondrosis (hyaline cartilaginous)

Synovial plane

Between facet of tubercle of rib and adjacent transverse process of thoracic vertebra

11th and 12th ribs don’t articulate with transverse process of vertebra

Question 19

List the joint type and articulations for the costochondral joint

Answer 19

Hyaline cartilaginous (synchondrosis/primary cartilaginous)

Between ribs and costal cartilage in the front of the rib cage, each rib has a depression shaped like a cup that costal cartilage articulates with, lateral end of costal cartilage and sternal end of rib

Question 20

List the joint type and articulations for the interchondral joints

Answer 20

6-9th are synovial plane, 9-10th are fibrous

Costal cartilages of 6th and 7th, and 8th and 9th ribs

Question 21

List the joint type and articulations for the sternocostal (sternochondral) joints

Answer 21

2nd-7th are synovial plane, 1st rib articulates directly with the sternum and is synchondrosis (fibrocartilaginous)

Articulations are true ribs with sternum

Question 22

List the joint type and articulations for the sternoclavicular joint

Answer 22

Synovial saddle

Clavicle and manubrium of sternum and first costal cartilage, divides into two compartments with intra articular disc

Question 23

List the joint type and articulations for the manubriosternal joint

Answer 23

Secondary cartilaginous/symphysis (often fuses in old people)

Inferior border of manubrium and superior border of sternal body

Question 24

List the joint type and articulations for the xiphisternal joint

Answer 24

Synchondrosis (often fuses in old people)

Sternal body meeting with xiphoid process

Question 25

Which muscles produce trunk flexion?

Answer 25

External obliques, internal obliques, rectus abdominus

Question 26

Which muscles produce trunk extension?

Answer 26

Erector spinae

Question 27

Which muscles produce trunkside flexion?

Answer 27

External obliques (ipsilateral), internal obliques (ipsilateral), rectus abdominus (ipsilateral), erector spinae (ipsilateral)

Question 28

Which muscles produce trunk rotation?

Answer 28

External obliques (contralateral), internal obliques (ipsilateral), rectus abdominus (contralateral), erector spinae (ipsilateral)

Question 29

Which muscles produce posterior pelvic tilt?

Answer 29

External obliques, internal obliques, rectus abdominus

Question 30

Which muscle stabilises the lumbar spine?

Answer 30

Transverse abdominus

Question 31

Which muscle extends the lumbar spine?

Answer 31

Quadratus lumborum

Question 32

Which muscle produces lumbar side flexion?

Answer 32

Quadratus lumborum (ipsilateral)