PS 1001:03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Thoracic Vertebrae, Facet Joint, Vertebra
T1 = transitional (cervical to thoracic)
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Upper thoracic - T1-T4
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Middle thoracic T4-T9
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Includes transitional vertebrae
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Lower thoracic T9-T12
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3 distinct regions
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Thoracic spine
Screen clipping taken: 2/04/2018 11:02 PM
Body are heart-shaped with demi facets for articulation with head of corresponding rib
and rib below
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Short pedicles arising from upper half of body
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Small almost circular vertebral canal
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Act as muscle attachment sites - hence shape and length
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Long-downward pointing spinous process
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Overlapping laminae
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Act as muscle attachment sites - hence shape and length
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Longest in upper regions, shortest in lower
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Long, thick rounded transverse process
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Facet on transverse process for articulation with tubercle of corresponding rib
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Screen clipping taken: 2/04/2018 11:06 PM
Vertically projecting flat articular processes
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Superior process facing posteriorly
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Inferior process facing anteriorly
Typical thoracic vertebra
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L1 - thoracic spine
Monday, 2 April 2018
10:36 PM
wk 7 Page 1
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Inferior process facing anteriorly
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Upper = similar to cervical
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Lower = similar to lumbar
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Osteoporosis - due to increased load -> higher incidence of compression fractures
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Especially postmenopausal women in thoracic spine
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Clinical observations and considerations
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Vertical alignment limits flexion
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Inferior facet - Only slight gliding action anteriorly on superior facet of vertebrae below
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Facets align close to frontal plane
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Slight limitation to axial rotation and lateral flexion
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Demi-facet for head of rib on upper and lower parts of body
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Joints attaching to transverse processes = costotransverse joint
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Costovertebral joints - rib to vertebral body
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Thoracic facets and demi-facets
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Screen clipping taken: 2/04/2018 11:11 PM
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Characterised by articulation with the ribs
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Superior and inferior costal facets on each side of vertebral body for articulation with
head of its own rib and head of rib below
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Superior costal is bigger than inferior
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2 partial facets
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Facet articulates with tubercle of own rib
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Transverse process
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Spinal cord occupies about 40% of canal in thoracic region
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Vertebral body heart shaped - vertebral foramen is circular
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Typical thoracic vertebra
wk 7 Page 2
Document Summary
Body are heart-shaped with demi facets for articulation with head of corresponding rib and rib below. Short pedicles arising from upper half of body. Act as muscle attachment sites - hence shape and length. Facet on transverse process for articulation with tubercle of corresponding rib. Inferior process facing anteriorly wk 7 page 1. Osteoporosis - due to increased load -> higher incidence of compression fractures. Inferior facet - only slight gliding action anteriorly on superior facet of vertebrae below. Slight limitation to axial rotation and lateral flexion. Demi-facet for head of rib on upper and lower parts of body. Joints attaching to transverse processes = costotransverse joint. Superior and inferior costal facets on each side of vertebral body for articulation with head of its own rib and head of rib below. Vertebral body heart shaped - vertebral foramen is circular. Spinal cord occupies about 40% of canal in thoracic region wk 7 page 2.
