Thoracic Spine

 

Dear friends today I am going to share with you an informative article on Thoracic Spine. This article includes Thoracic Cage,  Characteristics Features, Joints of Thoracic spine and ligaments. SO ENJOY THIS ARTICLE....

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The Thoracic Spine
Second segment of vertebral column
Location:
B/w cervical & lumbar segments
Consists of:
12 vertebrae, 
Separated by iv discs.

Thoracic cage:
Formed by sternum, ribs, & thoracic spine 
Function:
Protect internal viscera 
–heart, lungs & oesophagus

Characteristic Features:
4 distinguishing features of thoracic vertebrae:

Vertebral body:
Heart shaped.

Costal facets:
On sides of each vertebral body
Articulate with heads of ribs.

Costal facets:
On transverse processes
Articulate with tubercles of ribs
Present on t1-t10 only.

Spinous processes:
Long and slant inferiorly
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Superior & inferior costal facet:
On sides of vertebral body

Consist of:
Cartilage lined depressions
Articulate with heads of ribs

Superior:
Articulates with head of adjacent rib

Inferior:
Articulates with head of rib below
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Atypical vertebrae:
Vary in size, location & number of superior & inferior costal facets.

T1: 
Articulate with 1st rib.

T10: 
A single pair of whole facets 
Articulate with 10th rib
Facets located across vertebral body & pedicle.

T11 & t12:
Each have a single pair of entire costal facets 
Located on the pedicles.


Joints:
2 groups:
1. Present throughout vertebral column, 
2. Unique to thoracic spine


1. Throughout vertebral column
Types:
Two Types:

i. B/w vertebral bodies: (symphysis)
Adjacent vertebae bodies joined by fibro cartilagenous iv discs, 

ii. B/w vertebral arches: (synovial)
Articulation of superior & inferior articular processes from adjacent vertebrae. 

2. Unique to thoracic spine
Articulations b/w vertebrae & ribs:
1. Costovertebral  
2. Costotransverse

1. Costovertebral:
Head of rib with superior costal facet of corresponding vertebra &
Inferior costal facet of superior vertebra
Iv disc b/wtwo vertebrae

2. Costotransverse joints
Joint b/w transverse processes & tubercle of adjacent rib
Present in all vertebrae except t11 & t12. 

Ligaments Of Vertebral Column

1. Major ligaments of vertebral column
PRESENT THROUGHOUT VC:
1. ANTERIOR & POSTERIOR LONGITUDINAL LIGAMENTS
2. LIGAMENTUM FLAVUM
3. INTERSPINOUS LIG
4. SUPRASPINOUS LIG

1. Longitudinal ligaments:
Anterior & Posterior 
Run the length of vertebral column, 
Covering vertebral bodies & lv discs.

2. Ligamentum flavum:
Connects laminae of adjacent vertebrae
Interspinous lig:
 connects spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae.

3. Supraspinous lig:
Connects tips of adjacent spinous processes.

2. Small ligaments of costovertebral joints
1. Radiate Ligament Of Head Of Rib:
2. Costotransverse Ligament:
3. Lateral Costotransverse ligament:
4. Superior Costotransverse Ligament

1. Radiate ligament of head of rib:
From head of rib to bodies of two vertebrae & iv disc.

2. Costotransverse ligament:
Connects neck of rib & transverse process.

3. Lateral costotransverse ligament:
Extends from transverse process to tubercle of rib.

4. Superior costotransverse ligament:
From upper border of neck of rib to transverse process of vertebra superior to it