costotransverse joint

costotransverse articulation

The facet of the tubercle of the rib forms an articulation with the adjacent transverse process of a thoracic vertebra. This is a plane type synovial joint called the costotransverse joint. This articulation is present in all but the eleventh and twelfth ribs. Ribs 1 to 10 have two joints in close proximity posteriorly; the costovertebral joints and the costotranseverse joints. This arrangement restrains the motion of the ribs allowing them to work in a parallel fashion during breathing. If a typical rib had only one joint posteriorly the resultant swivel action would allow a rib to be non-parallel with respect to the neighboring ribs making for a very inefficient respiratory mechanism. The ventral rami innervate the costotransverse joints. Therefore, therapeutic medial branch blocks are ineffectual. The ligaments of the joint are: Articular capsule Posterior costotransverse Anterior costotransverse Ligament of the neck of the rib Ligament of the tubercle of the rib.

Type Bone
Latin Name costotransverse articulation
FMA ID 7952

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the costotransverse joint?
The costotransverse joint is a plane synovial joint formed by the articulation of the tubercle (articular facet) of a rib with the transverse process of the corresponding thoracic vertebra. It is part of the costovertebral joint complex.
Which ribs have costotransverse joints?
Costotransverse joints are present for ribs 1 through 10. Ribs 11 and 12 (floating ribs) do not have tubercles that articulate with transverse processes, so they lack true costotransverse joints.
What movements does the costotransverse joint allow?
The costotransverse joint allows gliding and rotation movements. During breathing, the rib rotates around an axis passing through both the costovertebral and costotransverse joints, producing either 'pump handle' (upper ribs) or 'bucket handle' (lower ribs) movement that increases thoracic volume.
What type of joint is the costotransverse joint?
The costotransverse joint is a plane (gliding) synovial joint. The joint cavity is lined by synovium and enclosed by a capsule reinforced by the costotransverse ligaments (anterior, posterior, and superior or lateral costotransverse ligaments).
What ligaments stabilize the costotransverse joint?
The costotransverse joint is stabilized by the costotransverse ligament (connecting the neck of the rib to the transverse process), the lateral costotransverse ligament (connecting the rib tubercle to the tip of the transverse process), and the superior costotransverse ligament.

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Educational Disclaimer

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Data sources: Terminologia Anatomica, Foundational Model of Anatomy, Wikidata.