Transverse Costal Facet of Third Thoracic Vertebra
Fovea costalis processus transversi vertebrae thoracicae tertiae
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The transverse costal facets are the oval, anterolaterally facing, articular areas on the transverse processes of a thoracic vertebra. They are found on the anterolateral aspects of the transverse processes, close to their tips.
Each transverse costal facet articulates with the tubercle of its numerically equivalent rib, forming its costovertebral joint. Only the first to tenth thoracic vertebrae have transverse costal facets. They are absent on the eleventh and twelfth thoracic vertebrae since their transverse processes do not articulate with the eleventh and twelfth ribs.
Related parts of the anatomy
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Thoracic Vertebra
The thoracic inlet is best described as a thin axial plane of tissue best defined by its osseous boundaries: the body of the first thoracic vertebra posteriorly and superiorly, the first pair of ribs and their costal cartilages bilaterally, and the superior border of the manubrium anteriorly and inferiorly.
