Costotransverse joint

The costotransverse joint is the joint formed between the facet of the tubercle of the rib and the adjacent transverse process of a thoracic vertebra. The costotransverse joint is a plane type synovial joint which, under physiological conditions, allows only gliding movement.

Costotransverse articulations
Costotransverse articulation. Seen from above.
Section of the costotransverse joints from the third to the ninth inclusive. Contrast the concave facets on the upper with the flattened facets on the lower transverse processes
Details
Identifiers
Latin	Articulatio costotransversaria
TA	A03.3.04.005
FMA	7952
Anatomical terminology

This costotransverse joint is present in all but the eleventh and twelfth ribs. The first ten ribs have two joints in close proximity posteriorly; the costovertebral joints and the costotransverse 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 breathing.

The intercostal nerves innervate the costotransverse joints. Therefore, therapeutic medial branch blocks are ineffectual.

The ligaments of the joint are:

• Articular capsule
• Costotransverse ligament
  • Posterior costotransverse ligament
  • Lateral costotransverse ligament
  • Superior costotransverse ligament
  • Inferior costotransverse ligament
  • The costotransverse ligament
• Ligament of neck of rib
• Ligament of tubercle of rib