Thoracic Vertebrae's Superior Costal Facet, Lateral View

Description

Thoracic vertebral body anatomy is centered on the superior costal facet (superior demifacet), a semicircular articular surface positioned on the posterolateral margin of the vertebral body near the root of the pedicle. In lateral view, the facet sits superior to the mid-body level and anterior to the vertebral arch, orienting toward the adjacent rib head at the costovertebral joint. Posterior elements extend behind the body, with the pedicle and lamina leading toward the spinous process, while the superior and inferior articular processes form the zygapophysial joints along the posterior column. A small surface. Big implications. This osseous landmark anchors the segmental mechanics of the thoracic cage because the head of each typical rib articulates with two vertebral bodies, contacting the superior costal facet of its numerically corresponding vertebra and the inferior costal facet of the vertebra above, with the intervertebral disc in between. Degenerative change at the costovertebral joint, inflammatory arthropathy (including ankylosing spondylitis), or traumatic rib-head subluxation can produce focal paraspinal pain that mimics pleuritic or scapular symptoms, and clinicians often need a firm mental model of where the demifacet sits relative to the pedicle and vertebral canal. The fixed lateral perspective makes the demifacet’s position on the vertebral body easier to distinguish from the posterior articular processes, a common source of confusion in early spine training. Use this illustration for thoracic osteology teaching in gross anatomy or radiographic anatomy courses, for labeling exercises on costovertebral joints, or for textbook figures explaining rib articulation patterns and thoracic segment numbering. It also fits surgical education materials that introduce thoracic pedicle screw trajectories and adjacent joint surfaces without crowding the field. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.