Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the sacrum?
What is the primary function of the sacrum?
Which statement correctly describes the thoracic vertebrae?
Which statement correctly describes the thoracic vertebrae?
Which of the following accurately describes the auricular surfaces of the sacrum?
Which of the following accurately describes the auricular surfaces of the sacrum?
What is unique about T1 among the thoracic vertebrae?
What is unique about T1 among the thoracic vertebrae?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the median sacral crest form?
What does the median sacral crest form?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following features is NOT characteristic of lumbar vertebrae?
Which of the following features is NOT characteristic of lumbar vertebrae?
Signup and view all the answers
What is thoracic kyphosis primarily characterized by?
What is thoracic kyphosis primarily characterized by?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement about excessive lumbar lordosis is true?
Which statement about excessive lumbar lordosis is true?
Signup and view all the answers
Which ligaments support the lumbosacral joint between L5 and S1?
Which ligaments support the lumbosacral joint between L5 and S1?
Signup and view all the answers
Scoliosis is most often observed during which stage of development?
Scoliosis is most often observed during which stage of development?
Signup and view all the answers
What defines the costovertebral joints?
What defines the costovertebral joints?
Signup and view all the answers
What anatomical feature is noted to extend from the transverse processes of L5 to the ilia?
What anatomical feature is noted to extend from the transverse processes of L5 to the ilia?
Signup and view all the answers
Which unusual feature characterizes T10 among thoracic vertebrae?
Which unusual feature characterizes T10 among thoracic vertebrae?
Signup and view all the answers
How do lumbar vertebrae primarily differ in function from thoracic vertebrae?
How do lumbar vertebrae primarily differ in function from thoracic vertebrae?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following structures provides attachment to pelvic ligaments and muscles on the sacrum?
Which of the following structures provides attachment to pelvic ligaments and muscles on the sacrum?
Signup and view all the answers
What occurs as a result of poor posture and can lead to thoracic kyphosis?
What occurs as a result of poor posture and can lead to thoracic kyphosis?
Signup and view all the answers
Which characteristic is shared by T11 and T12 amongst thoracic vertebrae?
Which characteristic is shared by T11 and T12 amongst thoracic vertebrae?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the role of the costotransverse joint?
What is the role of the costotransverse joint?
Signup and view all the answers
Which ligament is attached to the intermediate sacral crest?
Which ligament is attached to the intermediate sacral crest?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Thoracic Vertebrae
- The thoracic vertebrae are the second segment of the vertebral column, located between the cervical and lumbar vertebrae.
- There are 12 thoracic vertebrae, separated by intervertebral discs.
- The thoracic spine, along with the sternum and ribs, forms the thoracic cage.
Distinguishing Features
- They have a heart-shaped vertebral body.
- They have demi-facets on the sides of the vertebral body for articulation with rib heads.
- They have costal facets on the transverse processes for articulation with rib tubercles (T1-T10 only).
- They have long and inferiorly slanted spinous processes for increased spinal cord protection.
Atypical Thoracic Vertebrae
- T1: Has a superior facet that's not a demifacet and is the only vertebra to articulate with the 1st rib.
- T10: Has a single pair of whole facets that articulate with the 10th rib.
- T11 and T12: Have a single pair of whole costal facets located on the pedicles.
Thoracic Joints
- Costovertebral joint: Consists of the rib head articulating with the superior costal facet of the corresponding vertebra, the inferior costal facet of the superior vertebra, and the intervertebral disc.
- Costotransverse joint: Formed by the articulation of the transverse processes of a thoracic vertebra and the tubercle of the adjacent rib. This joint is absent in T11 and T12.
Thoracic Ligaments
- Radiate ligament of head of rib: Fans outwards from the rib head to the bodies of the two vertebrae and the intervertebral disc.
- Costotransverse ligament: Connects the neck of the rib with the transverse process.
- Lateral costotransverse ligament: Extends from the transverse process to the tubercle of the rib.
- Superior costotransverse ligament: Passes from the upper border of the neck of the rib to the transverse process of the vertebra superior to it.
Lumbar Vertebrae
- The lumbar vertebrae are the third region of the vertebral column, located in the lower back between the thoracic and sacral segments.
- There are 5 lumbar vertebrae, which are the largest in the vertebral column.
- They are important for weight-bearing and support.
Distinguishing Features
- They have large kidney-shaped vertebral bodies.
- They have a triangular vertebral foramen.
- They have long and slender transverse processes.
- They have articular processes with nearly vertical facets.
- They have short and broad spinous processes.
- The 5th lumbar vertebra has a significantly larger vertebral body and transverse processes.
- They lack transverse foramina.
Lumbar Ligaments
- The lumbosacral joint (L5 & S1) is strengthened by the iliolumbar ligaments.
- These ligaments radiate from the transverse processes of the L5 vertebra to the ilia of the pelvis.
Sacrum
- The sacrum is a large, triangular bone located at the terminal end of the vertebral canal.
- It forms the posterior aspect of the pelvis.
- It is remarkably thick and supports and transmits the weight of the body.
- It is formed by the fusion of 5 sacral vertebrae.
Sacral Surfaces
-
Dorsal Surface: Coarse and rugged due to the fusion of sacral vertebrae, creating three bony crests.
- Median sacral crest: Formed by the fusion of spinous processes of the first 3 sacral vertebrae, attaching to the supraspinous ligament.
- Intermediate sacral crests: Formed by the fusion of sacral articular processes, attaching to the posterior sacroiliac ligaments.
- Lateral sacral crests: Formed by the fusion of the transverse processes of the sacral bones, attaching to the posterior sacroiliac and sacrotuberous ligaments.
-
Pelvic Surface: Less remarkable than the dorsal surface, marked by four transverse lines (remnants of fused intervertebral discs).
- Sacral Promontory: An anterior projection of bone, forming the posterior margin of the pelvic inlet.
Clinical Relevance
-
Thoracic Kyphosis: An excessive curvature of the thoracic spine, resulting in a "hunched" back.
- Can be caused by poor posture in early life, abnormally wedge-shaped vertebrae, fused vertebrae during development, or various diseases.
- Osteoporosis is a common cause in adults, weakening the spine's ability to support weight.
-
Excessive Lumbar Lordosis: An abnormal anterior curvature of the lumbar region, with anterior tilting of the pelvis.
- Can be temporary in late pregnancy or caused by obesity.
-
Scoliosis: A sideways curvature of the spine, often occurring during the growth spurt before puberty.
- The cause is usually unknown, and affects about 3% of adolescents.
- Most cases are mild, but some worsen during growth.
- Girls have a higher risk of the curve worsening and needing treatment.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Test your knowledge on the thoracic vertebrae, the second segment of the vertebral column. This quiz explores their structure, features, and unique characteristics of atypical thoracic vertebrae. Understand the thoracic spine and its role in the thoracic cage.
