Typical Thoracic Vertebrae T2-T8

Question 1

What features will allow discrimination between T2-T4 and T5-T8 segmental groups?

Answer 1

The vertebral body, transverse process, articular process, and spinous process

Question 2

What is the outline of the vertebral body of a typical thoracic from superior view?

Answer 2

Triangular

Question 3

On cranial view, what is the outline of the vertebral body for the T5-T8 group?

Answer 3

The left side of the vertebral body will be flattened, the right side convex

Question 4

What is the name given to the left side appearance of the vertebral body of T5-T8?

Answer 4

The aortic impression

Question 5

What part of the vertebral body is most influenced by the aorta at T5-T8?

Answer 5

The left side superior and inferior epiphyseal rims

Question 6

What is the height pattern of the typical thoracic vertebral body?

Answer 6

The posterior height is greater than the anterior height by one to two millimeters

Question 7

What is the height pattern of intervertebral discs in the typical thoracic region?

Answer 7

The intervertebral discs are rather planar or flat with no apparent height difference between anterior and posterior heights

Question 8

What is the principle cause of the posterior curve of the thoracic spine?

Answer 8

The vertebral height differences

Question 9

What is another way of naming a posterior curve pattern?

Answer 9

A kyphotic curve

Question 10

What joint classifications are identified at the vertebral body of a typical thoracic?

Answer 10

Fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis, cartilaginous (amphiarthrosis) symphysis, and synovial plane (diarthrosis arthrodia)

Question 11

How many synovial joints are formed at the vertebral body of a typical thoracic?

Answer 11

4

Question 12

How many symphysis joints are formed with the vertebral body of a typical thoracic?

Answer 12

2

Question 13

How many syndesmosis joints are formed at the vertebral body of a typical thoracic?

Answer 13

Typically 4 are identified (as many as 8 if the costocentral stellate/radiate ligaments are included)

Question 14

What is the name given to the joint formed between the vertebral body an rib?

Answer 14

Costocentral joint

Question 15

How many costocentral joints are formed at the vertebral body and rib?

Answer 15

4

Question 16

Which of the demi-facets on the vertebral body of a typical thoracic is larger?

Answer 16

The superior costal demi-facet

Question 17

What feature will provide assistance in maintaining the stability of the intervertebral foramen in the typical thoracics?

Answer 17

The costocentral joint or ribs

Question 18

What ligaments support the costocentral joint?

Answer 18

The costocentral stellate/ radiate ligament and the costocentral interarticular or intra-articular ligament

Question 19

What does the costocentral intra-articular or interarticular ligament connect to?

Answer 19

The interarticular or intra-articular crest of the head of the rib and the intervertebral disc

Question 20

What is the size relationship between the articulating surface of the head of the rib and the costal demi-facet surface?

Answer 20

The rib surface is greater than the costal demi-facet surface

Question 21

Which muscle(s) is attached to the vertebral body of T2 or T3?

Answer 21

The longus colli

Question 22

What is the position and direction of the pedicle from the typical thoracic vertebral body?

Answer 22

The pedicle arises from the upper third of the vertebral body and projects posterior and slightly lateral

Question 23

What is the angulation of the pedicle in the typical thoracic region?

Answer 23

Ten to fifteen degrees posterolateral from the sagittal plane

Question 24

Which X-Ray view is used to see into the intervertebral foramen of a typical thoracic?

Answer 24

The lateral view

Question 25

What is overlap of the lamina called in the typical thoracic region?

Answer 25

Shingling

Question 26

What is the outline of the vertebral foramen in the typical thoracic region?

Answer 26

Oval to circular

Question 27

In which plane will the size of the vertebral foramen of a typical thoracic be greatest?

Answer 27

The transverse plane, the vertebral transverse diameter

Question 28

What are the osseous parts of the costotransverse joint?

Answer 28

The transverse costal facet and the articular surface of the tubercle of a rib

Question 29

What ligaments support the costotransverse joint of a typical thoracic?

Answer 29

The superior costotransverse, inferior costotransverse, and lateral costotransverse ligaments

Question 30

Which muscles may attach to the transverse process of a typical thoracic?

Answer 30

The longissimus thoracis, longissimus cervicis, longissimus capitis, semispinalis thoracis, semispinalis cervicis, semispinalis capitis, multifidis, rotator longus, rotator brevis, intertransversarii, levator costarum longus, and levator costarum brevis

Question 31

Which muscles may attach to the transverse process of a typical thoracic?

Answer 31

The longissimus thoracis, longissimus cervicis, longissimus capitis, semispinalis thoracis, semispinalis cervicis, semispinalis capitis, multifidis, rotator longus, rotator brevis, intertransversarii, levator costarum longus, and levator costarum brevis

Question 32

How can you distinguish between a T2-T4 from T5-T8 segment using the articular process?

Answer 32

At T2-T4 the width between the superior articular processes is greater than the width between the inferior articular processes of that vertebra
At T5-T8 the width between the superior articular processes is equal to or the same as the width between the inferior articular processes of that vertebra

Question 33

What is the orientation of the superior articular facet of a typical thoracic?

Answer 33

They face backward, upward, and lateral (BUL)

Question 34

What is the orientation of the inferior articular facet of a typical thoracic?

Answer 34

They face forward, downward, and medial (ForMeD)

Question 35

How many synovial joints are present at a typical thoracic?

Answer 35

Ten

Question 36

How many synovial joint surfaces for ribs are present on a typical thoracic?

Answer 36

Six

Question 37

Identify the synovial joint surfaces for ribs that are present on a typical thoracic.

Answer 37

two superior costal-demi facets, two inferior costal demi-facets, two transverse costal facets

Question 38

What is the name given to the overlap of spinous processes in the thoracic region?

Answer 38

Imbrication

Question 39

Imbrication will be more pronounced for what region of the thoracics?

Answer 39

T5-T8

Question 40

Which thoracic has the longest spinous process?

Answer 40

T8

Question 41

What is the angulation of the spinous process in the typical thoracic region?

Answer 41

The undersurface of T2-T4 spinous processes will angle up to forty degrees from the horizontal plane

The undersurface of T5-T8 spinous processes will angle up to sixty degrees from the horizontal plane

Question 42

Which muscles may attach to the spinous process of a typical thoracic?

Answer 42

The trapezius, latissimus dorsi, rhomboid major, serratus posterior superior, splenius cervicis, splenius capitis, spinalis thoracis, spinalis cervicis, spinalis capitis, semispinalis thoracics, multifidis, rotator longus, rotator brevis, and interspinalis

Question 43

Which muscles may attach to the spinous process of a typical thoracic?

Answer 43

The trapezius, latissimus dorsi, rhomboid major, serratus posterior superior, splenius cervicis, splenius capitis, spinalis thoracis, spinalis cervicis, spinalis capitis, semispinalis thoracics, multifidis, rotator longus, rotator brevis, and interspinalis