Dissection of thoracic and lumbosacral regions of back from a posterior approach

Ligaments of costotransverse articulations; dorsal rami of spinal nerves, posterior view

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Image #214-4

Dissection of thoracic and lumbosacral regions of back from a posterior approach

Ligaments of costotransverse articulations; dorsal rami of spinal nerves, posterior view

The erector spinae and the transversospinal muscles have been cut away to permit dissection of the ligaments related to several of the costotransverse joints.

1. External intercostal muscle
2. Longissimus thoracis muscle (tendon of insertion)
3. Intertransverse ligament
4. Levator costarum brevis muscle
5. Superior costotransverse ligament (upper pointer on anterior division, lower pointer on posterior division)
6. Tubercule of rib VI
7. Angle of rib VI (pointer on tendon of insertion of one slip of iliocostalis muscle)
8. Lateral costotransverse ligament
9. Dorsal branch posterior intercostal artery V
10. Dorsal branch thoracic nerve V
11. Upper pointer: Neck of rib Lower pointer: Costotransverse ligament (occupying costotransverse foramen)
12. Intervertebral joint capsule Th. V-VI
13. Transverse process of vertebra Th. VI
14. Lamina (arch of vertebra) Th. VI
15. Spinous process vertebra Th. V
16. Nerve to levator costarum brevis muscle (branch of dorsal ramus)
17. Rotator brevis muscle