Tspine/cage Anatomy

Question 1

Thoracic facet orientation

Answer 1

Coronal, 60 deg

Question 2

Thoracic limiting factors

Answer 2

Flexion- anterior ribs, brings facets too close together
Extension- posterior ribs, brings facets too close together
Side bending- ribs and TPs
Rotation- only ribs, as long as no paraspinal limitation

Question 3

Unique Joints of the Tspine

Answer 3

Costovertebral Joint - head of a rib articulates with the vertebral body of a thoracic vertebra
Costotransverse joint - articulation between the articular costal tubercle of the rib and the costal facet of the transverse process of a thoracic vertebra.

Question 4

Ligaments of the Costovertebral Join

Answer 4

1. Radiate ligament of head of rib – Fans outwards from the head of the rib to the bodies of the two vertebrae and intervertebral disc.

Question 5

Ligaments of the Costotransverse joint

Answer 5

1. Costotransverse ligament – Connects the neck of the rib and the transverse process.
2. Lateral costotransverse ligament – Extends from the transverse process to the tubercle of the rib.
3. Superior costotransverse ligament – Passes from the upper border of the neck of the rib to the transverse process of the vertebra superior to it.

Question 6

Joints of the Thoracic cage

Answer 6

Sternoclavicular (Saddle-type Synovial) Joint with an Articular Disc – Sternum articulates with clavicle.
Sternocostal (Primary Cartilaginous [Synchondroses]) Joints – Articulation of costal cartilage with ribs 2-7.
Interchondral (Synovial Plane) Joints – Articulation of costal cartilages with ribs 7-10

Question 7

Sternoclavicular

Answer 7

1. Sternoclavicular – Clavicle and manubrium, consists of A&P ligaments
2. Interclavicular – Between both clavicles, connects two sternoclavicular joints
3. Costoclavicular – clavicle to first rib, anchors clavicle to first rib.

Question 8

Interchondral

Answer 8

1. Interchondral – Between costal cartilages