Abstract:

Objective　Through the morphological measurement of the articular surface of adults’ costotransverse joint, its morphological features have been researched to provide the theoretical basis for clinical diagnosis, designs of the screw as well as the related biomechanics. 　Methods　40 (80 sides) of adults’ thoracic dry bone specimens have been selected to observe the related index and then analyzed statistically according to different segments.　Results　Transverse costal fovea transverse groove could only be found in T1 and T2. Concave shape T1~4 increased gradually and plane shape T5~9 increased gradually. There is basically no costal fovea. The upper of transverse costal fovea T4~T8 increased gradually while the middle T1~4 increased step by step. T5~9 has decreased from 63.7% to 11.3% while the lower position T1~7 decreased gradually.  Flat type of the articular surface of tubercle of rib is distributed normally. Convex type accounted for 23.0%~50.0% except for R7; Concave type R1 accounted for 27.5% and concave type R2 accounted for 33.8%. The rest was distributed rarely. Basically, there was almost no articular surface in  R11、R12. Only articular surface of tubercle of rib R1 turned out to be the upper side, which accounted for 10.0% , while the middle part R1 accounted for 80.0%. Meanwhile, R3～11 accounted for 3.8%～26.3% and the lower part R2～10 accounted for 60%~96.2%.　Conclusions　Vertebral transverse costal fovea moves upward from concave to flat while articular surface of tubercle of rib moves downward from convex to flat. Suitable treatment plan should be made based on the related parameters of the rib 1~12 in clinical application.

Key words: Costotransverse joints, Articular surface, Morphological characteristics