Massage Therapy Journal Spring 2025

38 • Massage Therapy Journal

AMTA Continuing Education

Cervical Spine: Structure and Function

Thoracic Spine: Structure and Function

The cervical spine, or the neck, consists of a series of vertebral bones known as cervical vertebrae. There are seven vertebrae in this area, and they are numbered C1 through C7. These vertebrae are connected by different classifications of joints that allow for movement and provide stability to the spine. C3 through C7 are all similar in their shape and size. C1 and C2 are substantially different. C1 is a ring-shaped bone known as the atlas. C1 is the only cervical bone without a spinous process. C2 is called the axis and has a process called the dens or odontoid process that protrudes superiorly to articulate with C1. Important structures within the cervical spine: • Intervertebral discs/joints : The intervertebral discs are fibrocartilaginous structures located between adjacent cervical vertebrae in the spinal column. They act as spacers to allow spinal nerves to exit out from the spinal cord. The discs can also aid as shock absorbers for the spine, and allow for slight movement and flexibility between each vertebra. The intervertebral disc consists of a dense outer layer called the annulus fibrosus and a gel like center called the nucleus pulposus. The intervertebral joints are created by an intervertebral disc between two vertebrae, which are known as amphiarthrotic joints. • Atlantooccipital joint : This articulation is between C1 and the occiput and is a diarthrodial, ellipsoid joint that moves through flexion, extension and lateral flexion. • Atlantoaxial joint : C1 and C2 make up this joint and it's a diarthrodial, pivot joint that allows for rotation to the left and right. • Facet joints : The facet joints, also known as has two pairs of facet joints—one pair facing superior (superior articular facet) and another pair facing inferior (inferior articular facet). These joints allow for gliding and rotational movements between adjacent vertebrae and provide stability to the spine. Facet joints are considered diarthrotic joints. 1,2 zygapophysial joints or z-joints, are located on the posterior aspect of each vertebra. Each vertebra

The thoracic spine, situated in the upper and mid-back region, consists of 12 vertebrae identified as T1 to T12. Important structures within the thoracic spine: 1. Intervertebral discs : The intervertebral discs are fibrocartilaginous structures located between adjacent thoracic vertebrae. They act as spacers to allow spinal nerves to exit out from the spinal cord and can also aid as shock absorbers for the spine. They allow for slight movement and flexibility between each vertebra. The intervertebral disc consists of a dense outer layer called the annulus fibrosus and a gel-like center called the nucleus pulposus. A. The intervertebral joints are created by an intervertebral disc between two vertebrae. These are known as amphiarthrotic joints. 2. Facet joints : The facet joints, also known as zygapophysial joints or z-joints, are located on the posterior aspect of each vertebra. Each vertebra has two pairs of facet joints—one pair facing superior (superior articular facet) and another pair facing inferior (inferior articular facet). These joints allow for gliding and rotational movements between adjacent vertebrae and provide stability to the spine. Facet joints are considered diarthrotic joints. 3. Costovertebral joints : These joints are formed between the heads of the ribs and the vertebral bodies of each thoracic vertebrae. The ribs articulate with the corresponding vertebral body and its adjacent intervertebral disc. 4. Costotransverse joints : These joints are created from the tubercles of the ribs and the transverse processes of each thoracic vertebrae. 5. Costosternal joints : The articulations between the ribs and the sternum contribute to some of the stability of the thoracic cage. The first seven pairs of ribs connect to the sternum through individual costal cartilages, forming true sternocostal joints. The eighth, ninth and 10th ribs connect to the sternum indirectly through the costal cartilage of the rib just above, forming the false sternocostal joints. The 11th and 12th ribs do not connect directly to the sternum and are instead considered floating ribs. 3,4

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