6- Thoracic Spine

Question 1

How does the thoracic spine compare to the rest of the spine? why? What does it contribute?

Answer 1

it is overall stiffer and less mobile because of the ribcage

It adds significantly to the mechanical stability

Question 2

What is thoracic kyphosis a result of?

Answer 2

lesser anterior height of vertebral body and wedge shape of discs

Question 3

What is average thoracic kyphosis?

Answer 3

20-40 degrees

Question 4

Where is the apex of the thoracic kyphosis curve?

Answer 4

T7-8

Question 5

Which thoracic vertebrae are typical?

Answer 5

T2-T10 (11 and 12 are atypical)

Question 6

What are the thoracic IVDs like?

Answer 6

narrower and flatter

Question 7

thoracic IVDs contribute approximately ______ of the length of the thoracic column?

Answer 7

1/6th

Question 8

How are the nerve roots situated in the thoracic spine? Is this good or bad?

Answer 8

situated behind inferior-posterior aspect of upper VB rather than the disk
Good- decreases risk of root compression

Question 9

What is significant about the thoracic spinal canal?

Answer 9

relatively narrow (mainly T4-9)

Question 10

Where is the tension point in the thoracic spine?

Answer 10

T6

Question 11

How are the thoracic SPs positioned?

Answer 11

first and last 3 are almost horizontal… mid-thorax are long and steeply inclined

Question 12

Compressive Loading:
T1 endures ______% body weight
T8 endures ______%
T12 endures ______%

Answer 12

T1- 9%
T8- 33%
T12- 47%

Question 13

Explain the “Thoracic Rule of Threes”

Answer 13

T1-3: SPs level with their own VB
T4-6: SPs are level with IVD
T7-9: SPs in line with lower TPs
T10-12: by T12 in line with TPs

Question 14

Superior articular facets of the thoracic vertebrae face _______.

Answer 14

Posterior
Lateral
Superior

Question 15

Inferior articular facets of the thoracic spine face ______.

Answer 15

Anterior
Medial
Inferior

Question 16

Angle of the facets in the thoracic spine is _____ degrees away from the frontal plane.

Answer 16

20-30

Question 17

What is different about T12?

Answer 17

transitional vertebra ( superior facets are in the frontal plane, inferior are in the saggital )

Question 18

Which ribs are true ribs? What makes them true?

Answer 18

1-7 (cartilage attaches directly to sternum)

Question 19

Which ribs are false ribs? What makes them false?

Answer 19

8-12 (distal attachment is to the costochondral cartilage of the superior neighbor)

Question 20

Which ribs are typical? What makes them typical?

Answer 20

3-9 are typical
They have a posterior end with a head, neck, and tubercle. the head has 2 articular facets a superior costal facet, an an inferior costal facet

Question 21

Which ribs are atypical? Why?

Answer 21

1, 2, 10, 11, 12 are atypical

They only articulate with their own vertebrae via one full facet

Question 22

Which ligaments add strength to the weak anterior capsule of the costotransverse ligament?

Answer 22

Medial, Lateral, and Superior costotransverse ligaments

Question 23

What type of joint is between the first rib and sternum?

Answer 23

synchondrosis

Question 24

The remainder of the sternocostal joins are ____.

Answer 24

synovial

Question 25

What motion does the ligamentum flavum restrict?

Answer 25

flexion

Question 26

What motion does the interpinsous and supraspinous ligaments restrict?

Answer 26

flexion

Question 27

What motions do the ALL restrict?

Answer 27

extension and AP translation

Question 28

What motions do the PLL restrict?

Answer 28

flexion and posterior translation

Question 29

What are the primary respiratory muscles?

Answer 29

Diaphragm, costals and intercostals, transverse thoracis

Question 30

What are the secondary respiratory muscles?

Answer 30

scalenes, SP, pectorals, SCM

Question 31

Where does blood supply to the thorax come from?

Answer 31

posterior branches of the posterior intercostal arteries

Question 32

Where does venous drainage in the thorax go?

Answer 32

antieor and posterior venous plexuses

Question 33

What is the ROM for flexion in the thoracic spine?

Answer 33

20-45 degrees

Question 34

What is the ROM for extension in the thoracic spine?

Answer 34

15-20 degrees

Question 35

What is the ROM for sidebending in the thoracic spine?

Answer 35

25-45 degrees

Question 36

What is the ROM for rotation in the thoracic spine?

Answer 36

35-50 degrees

Question 37

What coupling occurs in the thoracic spine?

Answer 37

Upper- same side | Lower- either way (lower=lumbar=opposite?)

Question 38

elevation of the ribs in upper thoracic spine = ?

Answer 38

"pump-handle motion"

Question 39

elevation of the ribs in the lower thoracic spine = ?

Answer 39

"bucket handle motion"

Question 40

What is the spine of the scapula level with?

Answer 40

SPs of T3

Question 41

What is the inferior angle of the scapula in line with?

Answer 41

T6-9

Question 42

How is the medial border of the scapula oriented?

Answer 42

parallel with spinal colum, 5 cm lateral to SPs

Question 43

Individuals carry their dominant shoulder slightly _____ than the other

Answer 43

lower

Question 44

The iliac crests are at what spinal level?

Answer 44

L4