Week 3 Flashcards
Identify and describe the characteristics of the atypical vertebrae in the thoracic spine.
T1 - cervical-shaped body w/ long and prominent spinous process
T12 - thoracic like superior facets and lumbar like inferior facets
- T10 and T11 - Full costal facets as opposed to demifacets – ribs at these vertebras only articulate w/ 1 vertebra
Identify and describe the characteristics of the typical vertebrae in the thoracic spine.
BODY
- wedge-shaped
- demifacets (ribs touch both vertebra)
INTERVERTEBRAL DISC
- smallest ratio of disc height to vertebrae height
PEDICLES
- face posteriorly, not laterally - Results in narrowing of vertebral canal that limits motions
Describe the facet joint orientation for the thoracic spine. What motion(s) does this orientation allow for?
- 20 degrees off frontal plane
- allows for greater motion into lateral flexion and rotation and less flexion/extension
What structures limit flexion in the thoracic spine?
posterior longitudinal ligament, ligamentum flavum, interspinous ligaments and capsule of facet joints
What structures limit extension in the thoracic spine?
contact of spinous processes, laminae, facet joints and tension from ALL, facet joint capsule and abdominal muscles
What structures limit lateral flexion in thoracic spine?
facets and ribs
What structure limits rotation in thoracic spine?
rib cage
Describe the spinal coupling relationship in the upper thoracic spine
- T1-T6
- lateral flexion and rotation are coupled in the same direction
Describe the spinal coupling relationship in the lower thoracic spine
- T7-T12
- lateral flexion and rotation are coupled in the opposite direction
What are the osteokinematic motions at thoracic spine?
- flexion/extension
- lateral flexion/side bending
- rotation
What are arthrokinematics of thoracic facet joints during flexion/extension?
- flexion - slides superior and anterior
- extension - slides inferior and posterior
Is there a greater degree of flexion/extension in upper or lower thoracic spine? Why?
lower b/c facet joints have more sagittal orientation
What are arthrokinematics of UPPER thoracic facet joints during lateral flexion/side bending?
- ipsilateral - inferior and posterior slide
- contralateral - superior and anterior slide
What are arthrokinematics of UPPER thoracic facet joints during rotation?
- ipsilateral - posterior and inferior
- contralateral - anterior and superior
What are arthrokinematics of LOWER thoracic facet joints during lateral flexion/side bending?
- ipsilateral - inferior and anterior slide
- contralateral - superior and posterior slide
What are arthrokinematics of LOWER thoracic facet joints during rotation?
- ipsilateral - posterior and superior slide
- contralateral - anterior and inferior slide