5.2 Joints and Ligaments of the Neck, Vertebral Column, Ribs, and Thorax

Cartilaginous/symphyseal

Synovial

what are the two set of joints that the vertebrae forms?

Cartilaginous/symphyseal

Joint are formed by intervertebral discs joining the adjacent vertebral bodies

Synovial

Formed by caudal and cranial articular processes of the adjacent vertebrae

ATLANTO-OCCIPITAL JOINT

• Condylar joint acting as a modified hinge type of synovial joint between the occipital condyles and cranial articular surfaces of the atlas.

• Spacious joint capsule

ATLANTO-AXIAL JOINT

• Pivot type of synovial joint between the dens to the occipital bone

• Loose joint capsule

JOINTS OF THE VERTEBRAL ARTICULAR PROCESS

synovial articulations between the caudal and cranial articular processes of the adjacent vertebrae

Nuchal ligament

paired, yellow, elastic connective tissue connecting the upper cervical vertebrae or skull with the spinous processes of the thoracic vertebrae

Supraspinous ligament

heavy band of connective tissue running over the top of the spinous processes from the 1st thoracic vertebrae to the caudal vertebrae

Ventral longitudinal ligament

tendinous band lying on the ventral surface of the vertebrae from the axis to the sacrum.

Dorsal longitudinal ligament

tendinous band on the midline of the floor of vertebral canal from the canal to the axis

Intervertebral disc

layers of fibrocartilage between the bodies of the adjacent vertebrae

Annulus fibrosus (fibrous ring)

consists of bands of parallel fibers connecting adjacent vertebrae

Nucleus pulposus (pulpy nucleus)

semi-fluid remnant of notochord surrounded by a fibrous ring. It serves to absorb the shock

Interspinous ligament

fibers connecting the spines of adjacent vertebrae along the entire length of the vertebral column

Interarcuate ligament ( yellow ligament)

elastic ligaments filling the dorsal spaces between the arches of the adjacent vertebrae

COSTOVERTEBRAL JOINTS

• Two distinct articulations between most ribs and vertebral column

• The head of each rib forms a ball-and-socket type of synovial joint with the caudal and cranial costal facets of the adjacent vertebrae

• The tubercle of each rib forms a plane type of synovial joint with the transverse process of the corresponding vertebra

COSTOTRANSVERSE JOINTS

It is supported by a ligament that passes between the neck of the rib and the transverse process of the vertebra

INTERCAPITAL LIGAMENT

• Connects the heads of a pair of opposite rib

• It passes through the intervertebral foramen, crosses the floor of the vertebral canal, and ends by inserting on the corresponding region of the ribs of the other side.

• They are not present between the 1st pair and last two pairs of ribs

STERNOCOSTAL/COSTOSTERNAL

Pivot type of synovial articulations between the 1st eight costal cartilages and sternum

sternocostal radiate ligaments,

costoxiphoid ligaments

sternal ligaments

what are the joint capsule and ligaments sternocostal articulations?

Interchondral joint

of asternal ribs of the costal arch is a slightly movable fibrous joint

Intersternal joints

between the sternebrae are immovable cartilaginous joints

Costochondral junction

• area between the ribs and costal cartilages.

• Not a synovial joint