Thoracic Vertebrae, Ribs, Sternum Flashcards
Thoracic Spine (Info)
o There are 12 thoracic vertebrae
o T2 – T8 are typical
o T1, T10, T11 & T12 are atypical (sometimes T9)
o The normal curve to the thoracic spine is kyphotic
* Irregular Bones
Typical Thoracic Vertebrae (T2-T8)
Palpable Landmarks
- Lamina
- Transverse Processes
- Spinous Processes
Typical Thoracic Vertebrae (T2-T8)
Non-Palpable Landmarks
(8)
- Body
- Costal Demi Facets
- Pedicles
- Vertebral Notches
- Vertebral Foramen
- Superior and Inferior Articular Surfaces
- Articular Facets
- Transverse Costal Facet
Atypical Thoracic Vertebrae
Rule of 1
T1 Body - only one costal facet on each side rather than 2 demi facets
T9, T10, T11 & T12 Body - Usually only one costal facet
T11 & T12 - No costal facets
T12 - Inferior articular facets switch planes to receive articular facets of L1
Finding Transverse Processes
Rule of 3
Crucial for OP
T1, T2, T3 - SP in line with TvP
T4, T5, T6 - SP half segment below TvP
T7, T8, T9, T10 - SP full segment below TvP
T11 - SP half segment below TvP
T12 - SP in line with TvP
Ribs (Info)
o There are 12 pairs of ribs
o The 1st through 7th ribs are considered true ribs (vertebrosternal) due to their attachment to the sternum directly through the costal cartilage.
o Ribs 8-10 are considered false ribs as they have costal cartilage attaching to eachother, and the 7th costal cartilage (vertebrochondral)
o Floating ribs: the 11th and 12th ribs have no attachment to the sternum
o Typical ribs are R3 – R9
o Atypical ribs are R1, R2, R10, R11 and R12
* Flat Bones
Typical Ribs (R3-R9)
Palpable Landmarks
(2)
- Angle
- Costal Cartilage
Typical Ribs 3-9
Non-Palpable Landmarks
(6)
- Ends
- Surfaces
- Head - Inferior, Superior, Interarticular crest
- Neck
- Tubercle -Articular portion, Nonarticular portion
- Costal Groove
Sternum (Info)
o Made up of three portions: the manubium, the sternal body, and the xiphoid process
o Along with the thoracic vertebrae and the ribs, the sternum forms the bones of the THORAX; which protects the body’s vital organs (heart, lungs, etc.)
o The sternum articulates with the clavicle to join the appendicular skeleton’s upper extremities to the axial skeleton
* Bone type: Flat
Manubrium
Palpable Landmarks
(6)
- Anterior Surface
- Borders
- Clavicular Notch
- Jugular Notch
- 1st costal notch
- Sternal Angle
Manubrium
Non-Palpable Landmarks
(2)
- Demifacet
- Posterior Surface
Sternal Body
Palpable Landmarks
(5)
- Sternal Angle
- Borders (Superior, Inferior, Lateral)
- Anterior Surface
- Xiphesternal Angle
- Costal Notch
Sternal Body
Non-Palpable Landmarks
(1)
- Posterior Surface
Xiphoid Process
Palpable Landmarks
(3)
- Xiphesternal Angle
- Borders (Superior and Lateral)
- Anterior Surface
Xiphoid Process
Non-Palpable Landmarks
(2)
- Costal Demifacet
- Posterior Surface
