Thoracic Vertebra's Transverse Costal Facet, Lateral View

Description

Thoracic vertebra transverse costal facet (fovea costalis processus transversi) occupies the lateral aspect of the transverse process, appearing as a shallow, cup-shaped articular pit near its distal end. From this lateral viewpoint, the facet sits lateral to the pedicle and lamina and posterior to the vertebral body, with its articular surface oriented to receive the tubercle of a rib. The transverse process projects posterolaterally from the vertebral arch, so the costal facet reads as a discrete, smooth oval within an otherwise roughened bony landscape of attachment sites. Small but specific. Costotransverse anatomy matters whenever you need to explain how the thoracic cage couples to the spine, because the transverse costal facet forms the synovial costotransverse joint (T1 to T10 in typical anatomy) that guides rib elevation and limits excessive thoracic rotation. This is the articular surface implicated in costotransverse joint arthropathy and in focal pain generators around the paraspinal region, where tenderness can mimic facet joint disease or radicular symptoms from adjacent foraminal pathology. The single lateral perspective helps separate the transverse costal facet from the superior and inferior costal demifacets on the vertebral body, a common point of confusion in early gross anatomy and in radiology correlation. Use this illustration for thoracic spine and rib articulation teaching in medical, PA, and physical therapy curricula, and for figure plates in orthopedic, rheumatology, and pain medicine publications discussing costotransverse joint injection landmarks and degenerative change at the rib-spine junction. It also fits well in patient education materials on thoracic back pain that reference the rib’s tubercle articulation with the transverse process. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.