Thoracic Vertebrae Flashcards
In relation to the cervical segment, where is the thoracic segment?
Caudal to cervical segment
How many thoracic vertebrae are there?
12
What plane are the articular facets orientated close to?
Coronal plane
What direction do the spinous processes point?
Inferiorly
Where and what does the thoracic vertebrae articulate with?
Articulate with each other at the inferior and superior articular facets and discs
And with the ribs at the inferior and superior costal demi facets and transverse costal facets
What 2 structures form the intervertebral foramen?
Superior and inferior vertebral notch
What facets do the ribs join the transverse processes?
Transverse costal facets
Where are the superior and inferior costal demi facets loacted?
On the body (they are half facetsa and articulate with the ribs)
Where do the ribs sit in relation to the demi facets?
One rib sits in betwen 2 bodies at one demi facet
What is unique about T1?
It has a single superior costal facet
How many demi facets do T2-T9 have?
2
How many WHOLE costal facets does T10 have?
1 and it points superiorly
What is unique about T11 and T12’s facets?
They both have no transverse costal facet and have one single complete superior facet
Describe the morphology of T12
It is transitional with a spinous process that is more lumbar with short transverse processes and inferior articular facets that curve and deviate inferiorly
