The anatomic relationship between the thoracic transverse process and adjacent bony structures / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the anatomic relationship between the thoracic transverse process and adjacent bony structures and its clinical significance for thoracic screw fixation.Methods The present anatomic measurement used 45 dry cadaveric specimens of the normal adult thoracic vertebrae.We measured the distances from the horizontal midline of the transverse process to the superior,middle and inferior margius of the pedicle,the height of the anterolateral transverse process sheltered by ribs,and the position at the horizontal midline of the transverse process corresponding to the vertebral body.Results The horizontal midlines margius of the transverse processes of T1 to T10 are localized in the plane ranging from the superior to the inferior margins of the pedicle.The midlines of the transverse process are closer at T6 and T7 while more apart at T9 and T10.From T1 to T8,the anterolateral transverse process is totally or mostly sheltered by ribs,but the shelter is much less at T9 and T10.The horizontal midline of the transverse process corresponds to the upper 1/3 or middle 1/3 of the vertebral body.Conclusion Thoracic screw fixation across the transverse process to the vertebral body is safe,reliable and feasible in clinic.