Thoracic Spine Flashcards
List the main structures in the thoracic region
Vertebral column, ribs, intercostal spaces, costal cartilages, sternum
What is the function of the thoracic cage?
Protect vital organs, provide muscle attachments, assist respiration
How many vertebrae in the thoracic region?
12 (alongside sternum and 12 pairs of ribs)
List the features of a typical thoracic vertebra
Body, pedicles, vertebral foramen, articular processes, costal facets, transverse processes, lamina, spinous processes
Describe the articulations of atypical T1
Articulates with a single facet of its own rib
What do T10 and 11 lack?
Inferior demi-facets on their bodies
What do T11 and 12 lack and what do they articulate only with?
Lack transverse costal facets, articulate only with heads of their own ribs
What is the rule of three?
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
List the points of relation
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
List the types of ribs and how many
True ribs (7 upper), false ribs (remaining 5 pairs), floating ribs (11 and 12)
What are costal cartilages?
Bars of hyaline cartilage that prolong the ribs forward and contribute to the elasticity of the walls of the thorax
List the features of typical ribs
3-9, head, neck, crest, tubercle, shaft
List the features and attachments of first rib
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
Describe second rib
Like rib 1, but twice as long
What type of joint is the intervertebral?
Symphysis (fibrocartilage), secondary cartilaginous
What type of joint is the zygaphophyseal (facet) and what are the articulations?
Synovial plane, between articular processes of two adjacent-inferior process of superior vertebra and superior articular process of the vertebra below
What type of joint is the costovertebral, joint type and articulations
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
List the types of costotransverse joints and articulations
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
List the joint type and articulations for the costochondral joint
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
List the joint type and articulations for the interchondral joints
6-9th are synovial plane, 9-10th are fibrous
Costal cartilages of 6th and 7th, and 8th and 9th ribs
List the joint type and articulations for the sternocostal (sternochondral) joints
2nd-7th are synovial plane, 1st rib articulates directly with the sternum and is synchondrosis (fibrocartilaginous)
Articulations are true ribs with sternum
List the joint type and articulations for the sternoclavicular joint
Synovial saddle
Clavicle and manubrium of sternum and first costal cartilage, divides into two compartments with intra articular disc
List the joint type and articulations for the manubriosternal joint
Secondary cartilaginous/symphysis (often fuses in old people)
Inferior border of manubrium and superior border of sternal body
List the joint type and articulations for the xiphisternal joint
Synchondrosis (often fuses in old people)
Sternal body meeting with xiphoid process
