Thoracic vertebrae Flashcards
How would you identify a thoracic vertebrae
Roughly triangular, bodies are more circular, look like a giraffe
How many thoracic vertebrae are there
12 - Get bigger as they go down
Where is the body
This is the bean shaped part in the middle
Where is the spinous process
This is the long point on the top of the vertebrae - projects downwards
Where is the transverse processes
These are the points to the lateral and medial sides
Where is the vertebral foramen
The big hole in the middle
Where are the pedicles
Bridges of bone either side of the vertebral foramen
Where is the laminae
Bridge of bone between the spinous and transverse process
Where are the superior and inferior articular processes / facets
Superior is the flat surface at the bottom of the transverse process then the inferior are opposite to the superior parts
Where is the inferior notch
When the vertebrae is on it’s side and the spinous is pointing down, this is the uturn looking gap
Where is the superior and inferior costovertebral facets
These are the dips on either side of the body
Where are the costotransverse facets
This is the dip on the side at the bottom of the spinous process
How would you side a thoracic vertebrae
The long axis of the spinous process is posterior and angled sharply inferiorly, the superior articular facet faces posteriorly, the costal articulation faces anterolaterally
