What is the Costotransverse joint
Ava Robinson
Updated on April 02, 2026
The costotransverse joint is an articulation between the articular costal tubercle of the rib and the costal facet of the transverse process of a thoracic vertebra. … A synovial joint ensures the connection between the rib and the thoracic vertebra.
What does the costovertebral joint do?
The costovertebral joints are the joints that connect the ribs to the vertebral column. The articulation of the head of the rib connects the head of the rib to the bodies of the thoracic vertebrae.
What bones make up the costotransverse joint?
The articulations of the necks and tubercles of the ribs with the transverse processes of their corresponding thoracic vertebra are the costotransverse joints.
What type of joint are Costovertebral joints?
The two facets articulate with the vertebral bodies above, and below, to form the costovertebral joint. This surface on the tubercle of the rib articulates with the tip of the transverse process, to form the costo-transverse joint. These two joints are synovial joints.How are the Costovertebral and costotransverse joints different?
The costovertebral joint in the thoracic spine is the juncture at which the head of a rib articulates with the vertebral body of a thoracic vertebra. The costotransverse joint is the juncture at which the neck and tubercle of a given rib are united with the transverse process of its corresponding thoracic vertebra.
What is the main ligament of the Costovertebral joint?
The superior costotransverse ligament encompasses the superior component, while the inferior component, called the inferior extraforaminal ligament, attaches the superior transverse process to the inferior transverse process. These ligaments are oriented perpendicularly to the thoracic spinal nerves.
What is the function of the Costovertebral and costotransverse facets?
What is the function of the costovertebral and costotransverse facets? They are articulation points for the ribs. What is the most inferior portion of the sternum?
What is Costovertebral Junction?
The rib joints that connect each rib to the second through the tenth vertebrae in the upper back are called costotransverse and costovertebral joints. These joints provide stability to the upper back and chest wall.How many Costotransverse ligaments are there?
There are three types of costotransverse ligaments in the human body: costo-transverse ligament (connects the posterior surface of the neck of the rib with the transverse process of the corresponding vertebra); lateral costotransverse ligament (connects the non-articular part of the rib with the tip of transverse …
How many costovertebral joints are there?Unique to Thoracic Spine For each rib, there are two separate articulations – costovertebral and costotransverse. Each costovertebral joint consists of the head of the rib articulating with: Superior costal facet of the corresponding vertebra.
Article first time published onWhere are the Costotransverse joints located?
Clinically Relevant Anatomy. The costotransverse joint is an articulation between the articular costal tubercle of the rib and the costal facet of the transverse process of a thoracic vertebra.
What are Interchondral joints?
The interchondral joints are small articulations between the apposed costal cartilages of the ribs 7-10. On each side are three diminutive synovial joints between the surfaces of the 6th and 7th costal cartilages, 7th and 8th costal cartilages and 8th and 9th costal cartilages.
What is thoracic vertebra?
Thoracic vertebrae are the twelve vertebral segments (T1-T12) that make up the thoracic spine. These structures have very little motion because they are firmly attached to the ribs and sternum (breastbone).
What is Costovertebral pain?
Costovertebral joint disorders cause a dull ache in the upper back that is made worse by deep breathing, coughing or rotation movements of the trunk and rib cage. The aching is often felt between the shoulder blades and to one side of the spine. Other symptoms may include: reduced range of movement.
What are the bones that collectively form the bony thorax?
The Manubrium, the Body, and the Xiphoid Process. Anatomically the Thorax is the chest, and its bony underpinings are called the Bony Thorax or Thoracic Cage. It is composed if the Sternum and Ribs.
What is the correct pronunciation of Costovertebral?
cos·to·ver·te·bral (kos’tō-ver’tĕ-brăl), Relating to the ribs and the bodies of the thoracic vertebrae with which they articulate.
Are facet joints synovial?
facet joint capsule – Like other synovial joints in the body, they are surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue that produces synovial fluid to nourish and lubricate the joint.
What is vertebral column?
(ver-TEE-brul KAH-lum) The bones, muscles, tendons, and other tissues that reach from the base of the skull to the tailbone. The vertebral column encloses the spinal cord and the fluid surrounding the spinal cord. Also called backbone, spinal column, and spine.
What joints are connected to T3?
Structure and function of the T3 vertebra Matching sets of facet joints that connect the T3 to the T1 and T2 vertebrae. Additional facet joints that connect ribs to the vertebrae while allowing for slight articulation.
What is a Demifacet?
A demifacet is actually half of a facet and is where part of the head of the rib or part of the costal cartilage articulates and these are usually found on ribs 2 through 9. … The inferior demifacet of the body of the vertebra receives the head of the rib with a number greater than the number of the vertebra.
What is the role of the Intertransverse ligaments?
The intertransverse ligaments are ligaments that are placed between the transverse processes of the spine. In the cervical region they consist of a few irregular, scattered fibers that are often replaced by muscles. … The function of the intertransverse ligaments is to limit lateral flexion of the spine.
What is interspinous ligament?
Description. Interspinous ligament. This ligament is composed of thin sheets connecting the spinous processes (from roots to apexes) from C1-S1 one segment at a time. Anteriorly, Its fibres connect with ligamentum flavum, whilst posteriorly its fibres connect with the supraspinous ligament.
What is the Costotransverse ligament?
Costotransverse ligament – attaches the back of the neck of the rib to the front of the transverse process. Superior costotransverse ligaments – attaches the neck of the rib to the underside of the transverse process of the vertebra above.
What type of joint is the first Sternocostal joint?
The first sternocostal joint is an unusual type of synarthrosis (fibrous joint) and is often inaccurately called a synchondrosis. The second to seventh sternocostal joints are synovial, although articular cavities are often absent, particularly in the lower joints.
Where does the head of the rib articulate?
Posteriorly, the head of the rib articulates with the costal facets located on the bodies of thoracic vertebrae and the rib tubercle articulates with the facet located on the vertebral transverse process. The angle of the ribs forms the most posterior portion of the thoracic cage.
What type of joint is Vertebrocostal?
A synovial, gliding joint between a vertebra and rib.
What is Costovertebral joint sprain?
WHAT IS A COSTOVERTEBRAL JOINT SPRAIN? A costovertebral joint (CVJ) sprain can be defined as an irritation, dysfunction, rotated or compressed joint at the location where the thoracic spine connects to the rib, known as the CVJ.
Where is the costovertebral area located?
The costovertebral angle (CVA) is located on your back at the bottom of your ribcage at the 12th rib. It’s the 90-degree angle formed between the curve of that rib and your spine.
Where is the T12 disc located?
The T12 vertebra sits right above the lumbar spinal column. It is the largest and most inferior of the thoracic spinal vertebrae. The T12 vertebrae location is between the T11 vertebra and the first lumbar vertebra, L1, in the trunk region.
Which vertebrae have Demifacets?
There are six facets per thoracic vertebrae: two on the transverse processes and four demifacets—the facets of the transverse processes articulate with the tubercle of the associated rib. The demifacets are bilaterally paired and located on the superior and inferior posterolateral aspects of the vertebrae.
Why is the atlantoaxial joint a pivot joint?
The median atlantoaxial joint is formed between the dens of axis and an osteoligamentous ring of the atlas anteriorly and transverse ligament posteriorly. It is classified as a pivot joint. … In rotation the atlas together with the head, rotate around the dens of axis.