Joints of the Thoracic Spine

• -vertebrae (T1-T12)

  -ribs (12)

  -sternum (manubrium, body, xyphoid process)


  The bones of the thoracic spine include:
• protection (heart & lungs)


  What is the main function of the thoracic spine?
• costovertebral joints


  Head of rib (typical= 2-9) articulates with the superior costal facet of the thoracic vertebrae of the same number, the inferior costal facet of the vertebrae above, and the IVD between the two vertebrae.
• synovial planar


  What is the structural classification of the costovertebral joints?
• diarthrosis


  What is the functional classificaion of the costovertebral joints?
• -radiate ligament of rib head

  -interarticular ligament


  What ligaments are associated with the costovertebral joints?
• radiate


  The _________ ligament connects the head of the rib to the vertebral bodies and IVD.
• interarticular


  The __________ ligament runs from the interarticular crest of the rib to the IVD; this creates two distinct synovial cavities.
• costotransverse joints


  The costal tubercle articulates with the transverse process of the vertebra of the same number; present at ribs 1-10.
• synovial planar


  What is the structural classification of the costotransverse joints?
• diarthrosis


  What is the functional classification of the costotransverse joints?
• -lateral costotransverse ligaments

  -costotransverse ligaments

  -superior costotransverse ligaments


  What are some ligaments associated with the costotransverse joints?
• lateral costotransverse


  The __________ ligament attaches from the tip of the transverse process to the tubercle of the rib.
• superior costotransverse


  The __________ ligament attaches to the superior surface of the neck of the rib to the transverse process of the vertebrae above.
• costochondral joints


  The joint between the rib and the costal cartilage.
• cartilagenous symphysis


  What is the structural classification of the costochondral joints?
• amphiarthrosis


  What is the functional classfication of the costochondral joints?
• interchondral joints


  The joints between the contiguous borders of the 6th-8th (9th-10th) costal cartilages that articulate by small facets.
• synovial planar


  What is the structural classification of the interchondral joints of costal cartilages 6-8?
• diarthrosis


  What is the functional classification of the interchondral joints of costal cartilages 6-8?
• fibrous syndesmosis


  What is the structural classification of the interchondral joints of costal cartilages 9-10?
• amphiarthrosis


  What is the functional classification of the interchondral joints of costal cartilages 9-10?
• interchondral


  The _________ ligaments run from one cartilage to another.
• sternocostal joint


  The joint between the costal cartilage to the facets in the lateral margin of the sternum.
• synovial planar


  What is the structural classification of the sternocostal joint for ribs 2-7?
• diarthrosis


  What is the fucntional classification of the sternocostal joint for ribs 2-7?
• cartilagenous synchondrosis


  What is the structural classification of the sternocostal joint for rib 1?
• synarthrosis


  What is the functional classification of the sternocostal joint for rib 1?
• radiate sternocostal


  The __________ ligament runs from the costal cartilage to the superior/lateral/inferior margins of the sternum.
• manubrosternal joint


  The joint between the manubrium and the body of the sternum.
• cartilagenous symphysis


  What is the structural classification of the manubrosternal joint?
• amphiarthrosis


  What is the functional classification of the manubrosternal joint?
• -anterior radiate sternocostal ligament of rib 2

  -interarticular sternocostal ligament of rib 2


  What are some ligaments associated with the manubrosternal joint?
• xiphisternal joint


  The joint between the xyphoid process and body of the sternum.
• cartilagenous symphysis


  What is the structural classification of the xiphisternal joint?
• amphiarthrosis


  What is the functional classification of the xiphisternal joint?
• -anterior radiate sternocostal ligaments of ribs 6 and 7

  -costoxiphoid ligament


  What are some ligaments associated with the xiphisternal joint?
• kyphotic


  What type of curve does the thoracic spine have?
• T7


  Which vertebrae is the apex of the thoracic spine?
• -pectus carinatum

  -pectus excavatum

  -barrel chest

  -scoliosis

  -hyperkyphosis

  -flat back

  -rib fracture


  What are some pathologies associated with the thorax?