3.22 Thoracic Vertebrae

Question 1

Joints between 2 adjacent thoracic vertebrae

Answer 1

1. Cartilaginous joint between bodies
   Intervertebral disc
2. Synovial joint
   - Zygapophyseal facet
   - Costovertebral j
   - Costotransverse joint

Question 2

2. Synovial joints

Answer 2

Zygapophyseal facet
sup + inf

- Costovertebral j 
 head of rib articulates 
w/ body own vertebrae 
and 
Vertebrae above

• Costotransverse joint

Angle of upper 10 ribs
articulates w/ TV process

Question 3

Nerve Supply of the Joints

Answer 3

1) Intervertebral
2) Facet Joint
3) Costovertebral + Costotransverse joints

Question 4

1) Intervertebral

Answer 4

Point contention

Originally believed none

Anatomical studies:
Dense Innervation outer 1/3 of annulus

Simple and complex nociceptors found

2 main :
Anterior plexus

Posterior Plexus

Question 5

Anterior plexus

Answer 5

Formed by lumbar sympathetic chain
+
Receives branches from grey rami communicantes

Supplies Anterior longitudinal ligament

Question 6

Posterior Plexus

Answer 6

Unification of lumbar sinuvertebral N

Also supply posterior longitudinal ligament
adjacent dura
nerve root cuffs

Question 7

2) Facet Joint

Answer 7

Medial Brach of Dorsal Ramus from Adjacent Spinal N

Question 8

3) Costovertebral + Costotransverse joints

Answer 8

Branch from Ventral Ramus of corresponding spinal N

Question 9

Ligaments between 2 adjacent vertebrae

Answer 9

1. Anterior longitudinal Ligament
2. Posterior Longitudinal Ligament
3. Ligamenta Flava
4. Interspinous ligaments
5. Supraspinous ligaments
6. Ligamentum Nuchae
7. Intertransverse ligaments
8. Intervertebral Ligaments

Question 10

1. Anterior longitudinal Ligament

Answer 10

C1->Sacrum

Attaches anterior aspect of vertebral bodies

Question 11

2. Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Answer 11

C2-> Sacrum

Attaches posterior aspect vertebral bodies to discs

Question 12

3. Ligamenta Flava

Answer 12

Collection of short elastic fibres

adjacent laminae
axis -> first sacral segment

Question 13

4. Interspinous ligaments

Answer 13

Connects adjacent spinous process

Runs:
Root -> Apex each process

Question 14

5. Supraspinous ligaments

Answer 14

Strong fibrous cord

Connecting apices:
spinous process

C7 to sacrum

Question 15

6. Ligamentum Nuchae

Answer 15

Continuation of Supraspinous ligament above C7

Attaches to external occipital protuberance
+ medial nuchal line

Question 16

7. Intertransverse ligaments

Answer 16

Interposed between TV processes

Small in cervical and lumbar regions
larger and more definite in thoracic semgents

Question 17

8. Intervertebral Ligaments

Answer 17

Intervertebral discs adherent to thin layers of hyaline cartilage
covering ends of vertebral bodies

Cervical region often replace w/ small synovial joints