Thoracic Spine/Rib Cage Biomechanics Flashcards

1
Q

What are the three distinct regions of the thoracic spine that have specific variations?

A

upper thoracic = T1-T4
middle = T5-T9
lower = T10-T12

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Body characteristics of thoracic spine

A

wedged-shaped (kyphotic curvature on sagittal plane)
increase in size from superior to inferior
inferior endplates are larger

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

In which direction are the thoracic body vertebrae larger?

A

larger AP diameter than ML (bodies)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

characteristics of facets for heads of ribs

A

complete facets = T1 and T10-12
demifacets for the remaining
- ribs 2-9 connect in bettween vertebrae and act as a wedge to limit motion – limit motion btwn vertebral bodies

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

demifacets

A

head of rib articulates at the level of the vertebral disc and connects to the above and below body with two facets

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Articular processes of thoracic spine

A

pedicle to lamina junction (superior and inferior)
orientation affects segmental motion
more vertically aligned to 75 degrees at T6-T7
limit flexion
minimal axial rotation allowed due to how steep the facets are
lateral flexion is limited
lower thoracic limited in axial rotation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Articular processes of thoracic spine for what?

A

form zygapophyseal joints

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

in which direction do the superior facets face?

A

posterior and lateral – lower thoracic direction changes to medial orientation, which explains the difference in mobility in different aspects of the thoracic spine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

articular processes of thoracic spine – motions allowed

A

limit flexion
minimal axial rotation allowed due to how steep the facets are
lateral flexion is limited
lower thoracic limited in axial rotation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

T/F few limitations to axial rotation in the thoracic spine, but limitations in flexion.

A

true

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

palpating thoracic spine

A

space indicates IVD level (palpation)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Muscle attachment processess

A

TP and SP
transverse length decreases from T1-T12
- anterior aspect is facet for rib tubercle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

spinous process muscle attachment processess

A

upper is more horizontally aligned
middle is post and inferior
lower is shorter and projects posteriorly
tip of process in line with body of inferior vertebrae (t2-T12)
TP’s increase in size down vertebrae. this impacts LF

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

ribs of thoracic cage

A

12 pairs and sternum
head and neck face posterior towards spine
body is anterior = costal cartilage and sternum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

typical ribs

A

2-9

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

head of rib

A

superior/inferior facets - demifacets

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

neck

A

extends posterior and lateral from head

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

tubercle of rib

A

located on posterior surface

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

single head facet rib numbers

A

1st, 10-12th

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

rib facets

A

T2-T9 = head of rib has 2 facets
T1, 10, 11, 12 = one facet
neck extends psot lat and meets TP

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

sternum

A
convex anterior
concave posterior
flat manubrium, body, ziphoid process
sternal notch at T3
body at T5-T9
sternomanubrial junction = 160 degrees
xiphisternal junction ossified by age 40
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

sternal notch

A

T3

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

body of sternum

A

T5-T9

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Joints of thoracic region (5)

A
  1. interbody joints
  2. zygapophyseal
  3. costovertebral
  4. costotransverse
  5. rib to sternum
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

interbody joints

A

btwn bodies of vertebrae

26
Q

costovertebral joint

A

head of rib to vertebrae

27
Q

costotransverse joint

A

tubercle of rib to TP

28
Q

Interbody joints

A

IVD are thinnest in upper thoracic region

29
Q

ratio

A

ratio of disc height to body height = mobility
higher ratio = more mobility
ratio is smallest at thoracic region compared to rest of spine
disc height is same anterior and posterior

30
Q

FAcet joints

A

gliding synovial joints

supported by joint capsules which support flexion and anterior translation

31
Q

supporting structures of thoracic region

A

tons of ligaments that limit flexion and extension

32
Q

Costovertebral joint

A
head to demifacets and disc
supported by: 
- joint capsule
- interarticular ligaments (2)
- radiate ligament
33
Q

interarticular ligament (costovertebral joint)

A

within the joint capsule

connects head of rib to bodies of vertebrae

34
Q

radiate ligament (costovertebral joint)

A

outside joint capsule

35
Q

posterior instability

A

ALL and anterior disc

36
Q

rib cage

A

multiplies by 4 the ability of the thoracic spine to sustain compressive load - structures w/in rib cage become support structure agaisnt compresive loads

37
Q

costotransverse joint

A

the facet of the trasnverse process to the facet on the tubercle of the rib

38
Q

costotransverse ligament is supported by: (4 things)

A

joint capsule
costotransverse ligament
lateral constotransverse ligament
posterior costotransverse ligament

39
Q

costotransverse ligament is where?

A

at level of neck
connects neck to vertebrae
connects rib to TP above
rib hangs from TP above - this limits how much rib can drop, does not limit elevation of ribs

40
Q

lateral costotransverse ligament fxn

A

reinforces joint capsule

41
Q

posterior costotransverse ligament is the same as

A

costotransverse ligament (?)

42
Q

anterior joints of ribs

A
length of cartilage increases from superior to inferior
1st rib to manubrium
2nd rib to sternomanubrial junction
3rd to 7th to body
8th to 19th to the cartilage of the 7th
43
Q

thoracic spine motion is limited by: (3)

A

orientation of facet joints
thickness of IVD and bodies
presence of ribs

44
Q

segmental mobility of thoracic spine

A

from superior to inferior
sagittal plane = motion increases
frontal = rom constant or increases slightly
transverse = rom decreases

45
Q

orientation of thoracic facets

A

progressively more vertical

superior facets are posterior and lateral

46
Q

thoracic facet alignment allows axial rotation

A

vertical alignment close to front plane results in superior translation of above vertebrae during flexion
extension = compression forces develop within facets limiting ROM

47
Q

coupled motion at thoracic spine

A

coupling motion occurs in all motions b/c of rib cage

48
Q

coupling greatest where

A

lateral bending and rotation

49
Q

upper thoracic coupled motion

A

LF with ipsilateral rotation

50
Q

middle and lower thoracic coupling motion

A

less extensive and varies in terms of ipsi/contral rotation

  • depends on sagittal plane position of spine
  • flexed position = side bending and rotation in the same direction
51
Q

rib elevation: motion on costal cartilage and sternum

A

sternum = anterior and superior
costal cartilage = torsion
when sternum moves forward, torsion occurs at anterior end

52
Q

rib motion as a results of thoracic spine motion

A

flexion = depression
extension = elevation
rotation = deforms thorax
lateral flexion = ipsilateral approximation and contralateral separatation

53
Q

rib motion as a results of thoracic spine motion

A

ipsilateral transverse process moves posteriorly pulling the rib, increase rib curvature
contralateral transverse process moves anteriorly pushing the rib, curvature of the rib becomes shallow

54
Q

function of trap and rhomboids

A

contralateral rotation

55
Q

function of lat

A

ipsilateral rotation with help of pec major and anterior delt
extends lower thoracic region
flexion upper thoracic
ipsilateral flexion

56
Q

deep layer =

A

erector spinae group = spinalis, longissimus, iliocostalis

57
Q

function of deep layer of erector spinae group

A

bilateral trunk extension

unilateral = ipsilateral flexion and rotation

58
Q

contraction of deep erector spinae group

A

eccentric during forward bending
contraction during return to erect position
ES = 75% slow twitch
postural support and stability role

59
Q

ES group: spinalis

A

most medial

thoracic, cervical, capitis

60
Q

ES group: longissimus

A

thoracic, cervical, capitis

61
Q

ES group: iliocostalis

A

most lateral

lumbar, thoracic, cervical