Regional Anatomy: Thoracic Wall Quiz

Study Notes

A typical thoracic vertebra features three articulation sites for ribs on each side.
Two demifacets on the superior and inferior body aspects connect to adjacent rib heads.
Superior costal facet: connects with part of the head of its corresponding rib.
Inferior costal facet: connects with part of the head of the rib below.
Transverse costal facet: an oval facet on the transverse process that articulates with the tubercle of its own rib.
Vertebra TI's superior costal facets are complete and connect to rib I's head, lacking articulation with vertebra CVII.
Vertebra TX typically articulates only with its own rib, having no inferior demifacets.
Vertebrae TXI and TXII possess only one complete facet for rib articulation and lack transverse costal facets.

There are twelve pairs of ribs, each ending with costal cartilage anteriorly.
The upper seven ribs, termed true ribs, directly articulate with the sternum through their costal cartilages.
The remaining five pairs of ribs are classified as false ribs:
- Ribs VIII to X connect anteriorly to the costal cartilages of the ribs above.
- Ribs XI and XII are termed floating ribs, lacking any anterior connection to other ribs or the sternum.
A typical rib consists of a curved shaft with distinct anterior and posterior ends.
The anterior end of a rib is continuous with costal cartilage, while the posterior end features a head, neck, and tubercle for vertebral articulation.