ANATOMY OF THORAX
Osteology of thorax
• Ribs
• Thoracic vertebrae
• Sternum
Ribs
• True ribs (vertebrosternal ribs): 1st seven or
eight ribs
• False ribs (vertebrochondral ribs): ribs 8-10
• Floating ribs (free): 11 & 12
• Costosternal joints:
¾1st: cartilagenous
¾2nd – 7th: synovial
Parts of Thoracic Vertebrae
• Body
• Pedicle
• Laminae
• Vertebral formina
• Transverse process
• Spinous process
• Superior & inferior articular processes
Neurovascular bundles
• Travel in the costal groove of the ribs (i.e., in
the superior portion of the intercostal space)
between the internal and innermost intercostals
• Physicians passing needles into the thorax
insert them just superior to the rib to avoid
damaging the bundle
Parts of Sternum
• Manubrium
• Jugular notch
• Xiphoid process
• Sternal angle or Angle of Louis (at the junction of
the manubrium & body of sternum): T4-T5 level
Surface landmarks
• The scapula covers the 2nd to 7th ribs
posteriorly (important landmark for defining
lung fields)
• The 2nd rib joins the sternum at the level of the
sternal angle (palpable landmark)
