Thoracic Spine & Ribs Flashcards
What are the typical thoracic vertebrae?
T2-T9
Body of a typical thoracic vertebra is roughly equal in__________ and ____________ and contain costal _____________
Width and depth
Demifacet
The IV disc of a typical thoracic vertebra has the ____________ ratio of disc height to vertebrae height. What does this mean?
Smallest
Less mobile
A typical thoracic vertebra has ___________ facing pedicles, resulting in ________ of vertebral canal
Posterior
Narrowing
The articular pillar (facet) of a typical thoracic vertebrae have facet jts that lie _______ off of the _________ plane. This allows what motions?
20 degrees off the frontal plane
Allows side bending and rotation and less flexion and extension
Spinous processes of a T_ to T_ vertebra slope inferiorly.
5-8
The tip of the spinous presses lies at the level of the _______ for the majority of the thoracic spine
Caudal vertebrae
The joint capsules and thoracic ligaments are more _________ allowing for more ____________
Taut
Stability
What vertebrae if the thoracic spine are considered atypical
T1, 10, 11, and 12
How is T1 atypical
Has a full costal facet for rib one and a partial demifacet for rib 2
Has a typical cervical shaped body
The spinous process is long and prominent
T1 and T12 are considered…
Transitional vertebrae
How are T 10-12 atypical
Full costal facet instead of the demifacet
Can lack a costotransvese jt (may be present in t10)
How many pairs of ribs enclose the thoracic cavity
12
Components of the posterior end of a typical rib include
Head
Neck
Articular tubercle
The _________ &___________ of the rib articulate with thoracic vertebra forming 2 _____________ joints (what are they called)
Head and articular tubercle
Synovial
Costovertebral and costotransverse
Costovertebral jts permit what movement?
Gliding and rotation
A Costovertebral jt of a typical thoracic vertebrae articulate…..
The head of the rib, 2adjacent vertebral bodies, and intervertebral disc
The Costovertebral jt of an atypical thoracic vertebra articulate ….
Head of rib with one vertebral body.
The Costovertebral jt of an atypical thoracic vertebra is ___________ mobile than that of a typical thoracic vertebra
More
Costotransverse jts permit what movements?
Gliding and rotation
At the costotransverse jts of T1-T6 the ________ costal facet of the transverse process and the slightly ___________ costal tubercle promote _______ movement.
Concave
Convex
Rotation
The costotransverse jts of T7-T10 have a _______ articular surface which promotes ________ motion.
Flat
Gliding
Which thoracic vertebra do not have costotransverse jts?
T11 and T12
What are the 2 sternocostal jts and what are their articulations & movements?
Costochondral- anterior rib and cartilage (little movement)
Chrondosternal- medial cartilage and sternum (minimal motion (1) or small glides (2-7))
Describe the Osteokinematics of thoracic vertebra
Flex (20-45)
Ext (25-45)
Lateral flex (20-40)
Rotation (35-50)
What limits flexion in the thoracic vertebra?
Tension in PLL
Ligamentum flavum
Interspinous ligaments
Capsule of facet jt
The spinous processes, laminae, facet jts, and tension from ALL, facet jt capsule and abdominal muscles will all limit what motion in the thoracic spine?
Extension
Facets and ribs limit what motion in thoracic vertebra
Lateral flexion
Rotation of the thoracic spine is limited by
The rib cage
Describe the Arthrokinematics of sagittal plane movements in the facet jts of thoracic vertebra.
Flexion: glides superior and anterior
Extension: glides inferior and posterior
Where in the thoracic spine is sagittal movement most limited by the rigidity of the rib cage and frontal orientation of facets?
T1-t6
Where is sagittal movement in the thoracic vertebra more permitted and why?
Lower thoracic
Facets are more sagittally oriented
Describe the Arthrokinematics of movement of the thoracic spine in the frontal plane.
Sidebending: contralateral superior glide
Ipsilateral inferior glide
Sidebending in the thoracic vertebra is restricted by _____________ approximation
Facet jt
Describe the Arthrokinematics of movement of the thoracic vertebra facet jts in the transverse plane
Rotation
Contralateral anterior glide
Ipsilateral posterior glide
In the thoracic spine, lateral flexion is coupled with some ______
Rotation
How does coupling in the thoracic spine differ in the lower spine than the upper spine?
upper thoracic spine: same direction
Lower thoracic spine: opposite direction
Describe the Arthrokinematics of R lateral flexion at T9 and T10
Contralateral: T9 facet glides superior and rotates posterior on T10
Ipsilateral: T9 facet glides inferior and rotates anterior on T10
Ventilation is caused by a change in _______________ secondary to a change in ______________.
Air pressure
Intrathoracic volume
The Costovertebral and costotransverse jts create a __________________ for the ribs, allowing for __________ and ____________.
Single axis of rotation
Elevation and depression
The orientation of the axis of rotation created by the Costovertebral and costotransverse jts determines what?
The direction of rib movement
In the upper ribs (t1-t6) the axis of rotation is closest to the ________ plane allowing for “________________” motion
Frontal
Pump handle
In the lower ribs (t7-t10) the axis of rotation for the ribs is closest to the _________ plane, allowing a “_________” motion
Sagittal
Bucket handle motion
Primary axial rotators act in a _______________ relationship to create movement.
Force coupling
Functions of the thoracic vertebrae and ribs.
Stability
Base for muscles that influence the craniocervical region
Protection for the thoracic organs
Mechanical bellows for breathing
Scoliosis is a deformity of the vertebral column that most often involves __________ (most common single curve has an apex in ________)
Thoracic vertebrae
T7-T9
In scoliosis, a ______________ is often associated on the ___________convex side
Rump hump
Convex
Scoliosis can be described as ____________ vs ___________ which can determine if PT can help or if surgery is required
Functional
Structural
Which form of scoliosis would benefit from PT? Functional/structural
Functional
What is hyperkyphosis and what can cause it?
Excessive thoracic kyphosis
Due to: trauma, abnormal growth/development of vertebrae, severe DDD (degenerative disc disease) or marked ostoporosis
Hyperkyphosis significantly increases _______________ compression. Why is this concerning?
Interbody joint tilt/compression
Can result in a compression fracture
