Thoracic Spine Biomechanics Flashcards
What type of joint is the sternomanubrial joint?
Symphysis (fibrocartilagenous disc).
Allows for deformation w/ spinal movements and respiration.
List the types of sternocostal joints.
I: synarthrosis
2-7: synovial joints with fibrous capsule
8-10: articulate via cartilage of other ribs.
11-12: No lateral attachment.
Describe the congruency of the costochondral joints:
Cartilage is convex, rib is concave. Allows for deformation with respiration and spinal movement.
Describe the interchondral joints.
Articulation of cartilage from ribs 6-9
Synovial joints
Articulate via interchondral ligaments.
Describe the xiphisternal joint type.
Symphysis. Becomes fused after the age of 40.
What visceral pain referral patterns correlate with right or left neck and shoulder symptoms?
Right: Liver and Gallbladder
Left: Diaphragm and Lung
- Bc somatic afferents and visceral afferents are in contact and can converge in the spinal cord.
What is the orientation of the facet joints in the thoracic spine.
Aligned in the coronal plane.
What is the thoracic vertical zone?
Smallest spinal canal (T3-T7, but variable).
Where is the apex of thoracic kyphosis?
T7/8.
Where is the apex of thoracic kyphosis?
T7/8. Vertebra are higher posteriorly than anteriorly causing kyphosis.
How do thoracic discs compare to discs in other regions of the spine?
Thinner and more fibrous.
Describe the direction of SP and TP projections in the thoracic spine.
SP direct posteriorly and inferiorly.
TP project posterolaterally.
What are the articulation points for the ribs and T/S?
i) body of vertebra has demi facet for head of rib.
ii) TP has articular facet for neck of rib.
Describe the orientation and congruency of thoracic facet joints.
i) Apparently for some fucking reason, they’re BOTH concave. OH WAIT NO THEY’RE NOT ACCORDING TO THE NEXT GOD DAMN FUCKING SLIDE. JUST FUCKING WITH ME IS ALL. On Slide 2 then SVIF are concave and IVSF are convex. Opposite the rest of the fucking entire fucking spine because why the fuck not.
ii) Coronally oriented (essentially vertical).
What type of joint is the costovertebral joint?
i) synovial, modified ovoid
How many articulations does one rib have?
i) Most ribs articulate with the vertebrae at its level as well as the one above via the radiate ligament.
i) The ribs may also articulate with the disc.
ii) Ribs 1, and 10-12 only articulate with one rib.
What type of joint is the costotransverse joint? Describe the congruency.
i) synovial, modified ovoid.
ii) Between the tubercle of the rib and the anterior articulating process of the vertebra at the same level.
iii) Ribs 1-6 are convex and the TP is concave. Ribs 7-12 are planar.
What is the resting position of the z-joints in the the thoracic spine?
Slight flexion.
What is the close packed position of the z-joints in the T/S?
Full extension.
What is the capsular pattern of the T/S?
SF = rot’n > extension
Which direction do the facets face in the thoracic spine?
SVIF (concave) anteriorly, inferiorly and medially.
IVSF (convex) posteriorly, superiorly and laterally.
Describe the osteokinematics and arthrokinematics of T/S flexion.
i) anterior rotation, anterior translation (30’-40’)
ii) SVIF slides superiorly and anteriorly.
Describe the osteokinematics and arthrokinematics of T/S extension.
i) posterior rotation (20’-25’), posterior translation.
ii) SVIF slides posteroinferiorly.
Describe the osteokinematics and arthrokinematics of side flexion in the T/S.
i) rotation in the coronal plane (25’).
ii) ipsilateral translation.
iii) contralateral rotation.
Note: contralateral coupling only happens at the end range of segments ROM.
