Costovertebral joints anatomy in 3D
The costovertebral joints are where the back ends of the ribs meet the thoracic vertebrae. The head of each rib joins the vertebral bodies and the tubercle of the rib joins the transverse process of a vertebra, so most ribs meet the spine at two points. The 11th and 12th ribs have no joint with a transverse process.
Frequently asked questions
Which bones form the costovertebral joints?
They are formed by the twelve pairs of ribs and the twelve thoracic vertebrae. Every rib, from the 1st to the 12th, meets the thoracic spine at its back end.
What type of joints are the costovertebral joints?
Both are synovial plane joints.
What movements happen at the costovertebral joints?
In breathing the ribs lift and fall around these joints, changing the depth and width of the rib cage.
Bones of the costovertebral joints
- First rib
- Second rib
- Third rib
- Fourth rib
- Fifth rib
- Sixth rib
- Seventh rib
- Eighth rib
- Ninth rib
- Tenth rib
- Eleventh rib
- Twelfth rib
- First thoracic vertebra (T1)
- Second thoracic vertebra (T2)
- Third thoracic vertebra (T3)
- Fourth thoracic vertebra (T4)
- Fifth thoracic vertebra (T5)
- Sixth thoracic vertebra (T6)
- Seventh thoracic vertebra (T7)
- Eighth thoracic vertebra (T8)
- Ninth thoracic vertebra (T9)
- Tenth thoracic vertebra (T10)
- Eleventh thoracic vertebra (T11)
- Twelfth thoracic vertebra (T12)
Other joints
- Shoulder joint
- Acromioclavicular joint
- Elbow joint
- Radioulnar joints
- Wrist joint
- Thumb carpometacarpal joint
- Hip joint
- Sacroiliac joint
- Knee joint
- Ankle joint
- Subtalar joint
- Temporomandibular joint
- Atlanto-occipital joint
- Atlanto-axial joint
- Intervertebral joints
Skeleton
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