Costovertebral joints

The costovertebral joints are the joints that connect the ribs to the vertebral column. The articulation of the head of the rib connects the head of the rib to the bodies of the thoracic vertebrae. The costovertebral joints are the joints that connect the ribs to the vertebral column. The articulation of the head of the rib connects the head of the rib to the bodies of the thoracic vertebrae. The costotransverse joint connects the tubercle of the rib (costal tubercle) with the transverse process of the thoracic vertebra. Two convex facets from the head attach to two adjacent vertebrae, at the inferior costal facet of the superior vertebra, and the superior costal facet of the inferior vertebra respectively. This forms the synovial planar (gliding) joint, the articulation of the head of rib, which is strengthened by the ligament of the head and the intercapital ligament. Articulation of the tubercle is to the transverse process of the inferior vertebra. This articulation is reinforced by the dorsal costotransverse ligament. This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 299 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)