Costovertebral Ligaments
Description
-
![Anterior and sectioned views of the costovertebral joint: the superior costal articular facet or fovea of the vertebral body below articulates with the inferior articular facet of the numerically corresponding rib head.[1]](/w/images/thumb/e/e7/Anterior_costovertebral_joint_anatomy.jpeg/120px-Anterior_costovertebral_joint_anatomy.jpeg)
Anterior and sectioned views of the costovertebral joint: the superior costal articular facet or fovea of the vertebral body below articulates with the inferior articular facet of the numerically corresponding rib head.[1] -
![External view of the left costovertebral joint and ligaments: most of the external support of this articulation arises from the radiate or anterior costovertebral ligament[1]](/w/images/thumb/5/57/External_costovertebral_ligament_joint.jpeg/110px-External_costovertebral_ligament_joint.jpeg)
External view of the left costovertebral joint and ligaments: most of the external support of this articulation arises from the radiate or anterior costovertebral ligament[1] -
![a Schematic drawing illustrating the right half of a thoracic vertebra (transverse section) resected at the level of the body, articulated with the rib in front of the costal angle: the costotransverse joint (CTJ), the costotransverse ligament (CT), the lateral costotransverse ligament and the radiate ligament are shown. b Dorsal view of the upper rib cage of a skeleton with the first CTJs (red arrows)[2]](/w/images/thumb/0/08/Costovertebral_angle_ligament_anatomy.jpeg/97px-Costovertebral_angle_ligament_anatomy.jpeg)
a Schematic drawing illustrating the right half of a thoracic vertebra (transverse section) resected at the level of the body, articulated with the rib in front of the costal angle: the costotransverse joint (CTJ), the costotransverse ligament (CT), the lateral costotransverse ligament and the radiate ligament are shown. b Dorsal view of the upper rib cage of a skeleton with the first CTJs (red arrows)[2] -
![The capsular ligament in between the neck of the rib and the anterior aspect of the transverse process provides additional support to the costotransverse joint.[1]](/w/images/thumb/d/de/Capsular_ligament_costotransverse_joint.jpeg/89px-Capsular_ligament_costotransverse_joint.jpeg)
The capsular ligament in between the neck of the rib and the anterior aspect of the transverse process provides additional support to the costotransverse joint.[1] -
![The costotransverse ligaments stabilize the costotransverse joint, particularly the superior and posterior (not shown) costotransverse ligaments[1]](/w/images/thumb/a/a1/Costovertebral_ligaments_anatomy.jpeg/120px-Costovertebral_ligaments_anatomy.jpeg)
The costotransverse ligaments stabilize the costotransverse joint, particularly the superior and posterior (not shown) costotransverse ligaments[1]
![Anterior and sectioned views of the costovertebral joint: the superior costal articular facet or fovea of the vertebral body below articulates with the inferior articular facet of the numerically corresponding rib head.[1]](/File:Anterior_costovertebral_joint_anatomy.jpeg)
![External view of the left costovertebral joint and ligaments: most of the external support of this articulation arises from the radiate or anterior costovertebral ligament[1]](/File:External_costovertebral_ligament_joint.jpeg)
![a Schematic drawing illustrating the right half of a thoracic vertebra (transverse section) resected at the level of the body, articulated with the rib in front of the costal angle: the costotransverse joint (CTJ), the costotransverse ligament (CT), the lateral costotransverse ligament and the radiate ligament are shown. b Dorsal view of the upper rib cage of a skeleton with the first CTJs (red arrows)[2]](/File:Costovertebral_angle_ligament_anatomy.jpeg)
![The capsular ligament in between the neck of the rib and the anterior aspect of the transverse process provides additional support to the costotransverse joint.[1]](/File:Capsular_ligament_costotransverse_joint.jpeg)
![The costotransverse ligaments stabilize the costotransverse joint, particularly the superior and posterior (not shown) costotransverse ligaments[1]](/File:Costovertebral_ligaments_anatomy.jpeg)
Names
- Costovertebral joint ligaments
- Ligaments of the costovertebral joint
- Rib–vertebral ligaments
- Thoracic rib ligaments
- Ligaments of rib articulation
- Costospinal ligaments
- Posterior rib ligaments
Introduction
- Ligaments are associated with the costovertebral joints
- Maintain appropriate alignment between the ribs and the thoracic vertebrae
Intra-articular Ligament of Head of Rib
- Short band located within the joints of heads of typical ribs
- Originates from the crest of the head of the rib
- Attaches directly to the adjacent intervertebral disc
- Separates the two articular surfaces on the head of the rib
Radiate Ligaments of Head of Rib
- Originates on the anterior margin of the head of the rib
- Inserts on the sides of the bodies of two vertebrae, IV disc between them
Costotransverse Ligament
- Connects the neck of the rib to the transverse process
- Fills the costotransverse foramen between the neck of the rib and its adjacent transverse process
- Superior costotransverse ligament
- Broad banded ligament
- Extends from the superior surface of the neck of the rib
- Inserts on the transverse process of the vertebra above
- Lateral costotransverse ligament
- Lays lateral to the joint
- Originates on the tip of the transverse process
- Inserts roughened non-articular part of the tubercle of the rib
- Strengthens the posterior aspect
Innervation
- Segmental thoracic spinal nerves via dorsal rami
- Small recurrent meningeal branches contributing to nociception
- Shared sensory innervation with adjacent costovertebral joints and thoracic facet joints
Vascular Supply
- Posterior intercostal arteries (segmental branches from the thoracic aorta)
- Contributions from dorsal branches of the intercostal arteries
- Corresponding venous drainage via posterior intercostal veins into the azygos system
Clinical Significance
Pathology
- Thoracic Back Pain
- Rib Dysfunction
- Trauma Related Injury
- Postural Stress
- Inflammatory Conditions
See Also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Vallières, Eric. "The costovertebral angle." Thoracic surgery clinics 17.4 (2007): 503-510.
- ↑ Del Chiaro, A., et al. "Inflammatory disease of the costotransverse joints: US evaluation in 15 symptomatic patients." Journal of Ultrasound 25.2 (2022): 167-175.
- ↑ Saker, Erfanul, et al. "Ligaments of the costovertebral joints including biomechanics, innervations, and clinical applications: a comprehensive review with application to approaches to the thoracic spine." Cureus 8.11 (2016).
- ↑ Chida, Masayuki, et al. "Benefits of rib head resection via costotransverse ligament release method for T3 lung cancer in the paravertebral space." Annals of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 19.4 (2013): 268-272.