Anatomy of Ribs and Thoracic Vertebrae

This flashcard set covers the anatomical features, ossification patterns, clinical correlations, and vertebral classifications based on the provided lecture notes on ribs and thoracic vertebrae.

Pleural reflection

A line marked by an oblique line crossing the middle of the inner surface of the rib.

Quadratus lumborum

A muscle that attaches to the lower part of the medial half of the inner surface of the rib and lateral to the lateral arcuate ligament.

Lumbocostal ligament

A ligament attached to the lower border of the rib close to the head, stretching from the transverse process of the $L1$ vertebra.

External and internal intercostal muscles

Muscles that attach to the upper border of the rib.

Primary center of ossification

A single center for the shaft of the rib that appears at the $8^{th}$ week of IUL.

Secondary centers of ossification

Centers for the head and tubercles that appear at puberty and fuse at the age of $20$ years.

Cervical rib

An elongation of the costal element of the $C7$ vertebra occurring in about $5\%$ of individuals; it may compress the lower trunk of the brachial plexus and subclavian artery.

Lumbar rib (Gorilla rib)

A rib developing from the costal element of the $L1$ vertebra; it is more common than a cervical rib but usually asymptomatic.

Posterior angle

The weakest point of a rib where fractures commonly occur.

Flail chest (stove-in-chest)

A condition occurring when ribs are fractured at two sites (e.g., anteriorly and at an angle), leading to paradoxical respiration.

Paradoxical respiration

A clinical condition where flail segments of ribs are sucked in during inspiration and pushed out during expiration.

Thoracic vertebrae

A group of $12$ vertebrae identified by the presence of costal facets on the sides of their bodies for articulation with rib heads.

Typical thoracic vertebrae

Thoracic vertebrae from the $2^{nd}$ to the $8^{th}$.

Atypical thoracic vertebrae

The $1^{st}$ and the $9^{th}$ to $12^{th}$ thoracic vertebrae.

Vertebral foramen

A circular opening in thoracic vertebrae that encloses the spinal cord and its meninges.

Costal facet

The cardinal feature of thoracic vertebrae, located on the sides of the body for articulation with the head of a rib.

Basivertebral veins

Veins that pass through vascular foramina on the posterior surface of the vertebral body.

Ligamenta flava

Ligaments attached to the margins of the laminae.

Transverse process facet

A facet on the anterior aspect of the tip of the transverse process that articulates with the tubercle of the numerically corresponding rib.