1. Thoracic Body Wall & Vertebral Column Imaging Quiz
Developed by: Sorcha McCaughley & Mark Brims
Approved by: Alison King & Maureen Bain
Supported by: The Chancellor’s Fund

2. Thoracic Body Wall & Vertebral Column Imaging Quiz
START!
Developed by: Sorcha McCaughley & Mark Brims
Supported by: The Chancellor’s Fund

3. Thoracic Body Wall Vertebral Column Thoracic Inlet Q1 Diaphragm Q2
Ribcage Q3
Vertebral Column
Typical Vertebra Q4
Cervical Vertebrae Q5
Clinical Considerations Q6

4. Thoracic Inlet Q1
(i) Which boundary of the Thoracic Cavity is formed by the Thoracic Inlet?
Cranial
Lateral
Caudal
(ii) Which bone forms the dorsal boundary of the Thoracic Inlet?
2nd thoracic vertebra
7th cervical vertebra
1st thoracic vertebra
(iii) What forms the ventral boundary of the thoracic inlet?
2nd sternebra
Xiphoid
Manubrium
Feline

5.  Correct 
Yes! The Thoracic Inlet is the Cranial border of the Thorax!
It is shown here in these x-rays.
Try (ii)!
Choose a new question.
Feline
Canine

6.  Incorrect 
No, the Thoracic Inlet is not the Lateral boundary of the Thorax.
The Ribs (arrows) and Muscles make up the Lateral boundaries.
Try again!
Choose a new question.
Canine

7.  Incorrect 
Canine
No, the Thoracic Inlet is not the Caudal boundary of the Thorax.
The Caudal boundary is the Diaphragm.
Try again!
Choose a new question.

8.  Correct 
Yes! The dorsal boundary of the Thoracic Inlet is formed by the 1st Thoracic Vertebra!
It is shown here in these x-rays.
Orange = Cervical vertebrae
Blue = 1st Thoracic vertebra
Try (iii)!
Choose a new question.
Feline

9.  Incorrect  Try again! Choose a new question.
No, the 2nd Thoracic Vertebra does not form the dorsal boundary of the Thoracic Inlet .
The 2nd Thoracic vertebra is shown in this x-ray
Try again!
Choose a new question.

10.  Incorrect  Try again! Choose a new question.
No, the 7th Cervical Vertebra does not form the dorsal boundary of the Thoracic Inlet .
The 7th Cervical vertebra is shown in this x-ray
Try again!
Choose a new question.

11.  Correct 
Yes! The ventral boundary of the Thoracic Inlet is formed by the Manubrium or 1st Sternebra!
This is shown in this x-ray.
Try (iv)!
Choose a new question.
Feline

12.  Incorrect  Try again! Choose a new question.
No, the ventral boundary of the Thoracic Inlet is not formed the 2nd sternbra.
The 2nd sternebra is shown in this x-ray.
Try again!
Choose a new question.

13.  Incorrect  Try again! Choose a new question.
No, ventral boundary of the Thoracic Inlet is not formed the Xiphoid.
The Xiphoid or last sternebra is shown in this x-ray.
Try again!
Choose a new question.

14. Diaphragm Q2 (i) What are the attachments of the Diaphragm?
Thoracic vertebrae & Sternebrae
Lumbar vertebrae & Xiphoid
Abdominal wall
(ii) During which stage of respiration does the diaphragm flatten caudally towards the abdomen?
Inspiration
Expiration
Canine

15.  Correct 
Feline
Yes! The Diaphragm attaches to the Lumbar Vertebrae and Last Sternebra or Xiphoid.
Try (ii)!
Choose a new question.

16.  Incorrect 
No, the Diaphragm does not attach to the Thoracic Vertebrae and Sternebrae.
The Diaphragm forms the caudal boundary of the thoracic cavity so these structures are located too far cranial
Try again!
Choose a new question.

17.  Incorrect  No, the Diaphragm does not attach to the Abdominal Wall.
Remember: the Diaphragm is the most important muscle involved in respiration and needs to be securely attached to bone!
The abdominal wall is composed of muscle and soft tissue only.
Try again!
Choose a new question.

18.  Correct  Yes! The Diaphragm flattens caudally during Inspiration.
When the Diaphragm contracts during inspiration, it flattens. This increases the volume of the thoracic cavity which draws air into the lungs.
Try Q3 on the Ribcage!
Choose a new question.

19.  Incorrect 
No, the Diaphragm does not flatten caudally during expiration.
Remember: during expiration, the volume of the thoracic cavity reduces and air is moved out of the lungs. The Diaphragm relaxes and becomes dome shaped , bulging cranially into the ribcage.
Try again!
Choose a new question.

20. Ribcage Q3 (i) How many pairs of ribs does a dog have?14 13 18
(ii) Which of these is one of the proximal articulations of Rib 5?
Head of Rib  Cranial Costal Fovea of Thoracic Vertebra 5
Head of Rib  Cranial Costal Fovea of Thoracic Vertebra 4
Tuberculum  Transverse Process of Thoracic Vertebra 6
(iii) What is the distal articulation of Rib 5?
Costal Arch
No attachment – ‘Floating Rib’
Inter-sternal Cartilage
Ribcage Q3
Canine

21.  Correct  Yes! A dog has 13 pairs of ribs!
Here they are labelled in this x-ray.
Try (ii)!
Choose a new question.

22.  Incorrect  No, the dog does not have 14 pairs of ribs.
Pigs can have pairs of ribs!
Try again!
Choose a new question.

23.  Incorrect  No, the dog does not have 18 pairs of ribs.
The horse has 18 pairs of ribs!
Try again!
Choose a new question.

24.  Correct 
Yes! The Head of Rib 5 articulates with the Cranial Costal Fovea of Thoracic Vertebra 5!
The Head of Rib 5 also articulates with
the Caudal Costal Fovea of Rib 4.
The Heads of Ribs only articulate
with the Cranial Costal Fovea of their
corresponding Vertebrae.
Try (iii)!
Choose a new question. T4 T5
Rib 5

25.  Incorrect 
No, the Head of Rib 5 does not articulate with the Cranial Costal Fovea of Thoracic Vertebra 4.
It is the head of rib 4 that articulates
with the cranial costal fovea of T4
and also the caudal costal fovea of T3.
Try again!
Choose a new question. T3 T4
Rib 4

26.  Incorrect 
No, the Tuberculum of Rib 5 does not articulate with the Transverse Process of Rib 6.
The Tuberculum of Rib 5 articulates with the Transverse Process of Rib 5!
Try again!
Choose a new question. T5
Rib 5

27.  Correct 
Yes! The distal attachment of Rib 5 is to the Inter-Sternal Cartilage!
This is true of Ribs 1-9
The Inter-Sternal Cartilage is not usually visible on x-rays as it is not a bony structure.
Ribs attach to the
Costal Arch and Rib 13
is a ‘Floating Rib’.
Move on to the Vertebral Column!
Choose a new question.

28.  Incorrect 
No, the distal attachment of Rib 5 is not to the Costal Arch.
Ribs attach to
the Costal Arch!
Try again!
Choose a new question.

29.  Incorrect  No, Rib 5 does have a distal attachment.
It is Rib 13 that is
the ‘Floating Rib’!
Try again!
Choose a new question.

30. Typical Vertebra Q4 (i) What is A? (ii) What is B? (iii) What is C?
Vertebral Foramen
Obturator Foramen
Intervertebral Foramen
(ii) What is B?
Dorsal Spinous Process
Vertebral Arch
Transverse Process
(iii) What is C?
Body of Vertebra
(iv) Do you know where in the spine this vertebra is from? How can you tell?
Answer.
Typical Vertebra Q4 C B A

31.  Correct  Yes! (A) is the Vertebral Foramen! Here are more examples.
Remember – the spinal cord runs through here
Try (ii)!
Choose a new question.
Vertebral Foramen
C1 or Atlas
Vertebral Foramen

32.  Incorrect  No, (A) is not the Obturator Foramen.
Remember: the Obturator Foramen is found in the Pelvis!
Try again!
Choose a new question.
Obturator Foramen

33.  Incorrect  No, (A) is not the Intervertebral Foramen.
The Intervertebral Foramen is shown in this x-ray.
Remember : it is located between adjacent vertebra
Try again!
Choose a new question.
Intervertebral Foramen

34.  Correct  Yes! (B) is the Transverse Process!
Here are more examples.
Try (iii)!
Choose a new question.
Transverse Process
Transverse Process

35.  Incorrect  No, (B) is not the Dorsal Spinous Process.
The Dorsal Spinous Process is shown in these x-rays.
Try again!
Choose a new question.
Spinous Process
Spinous Process

36.  Incorrect  No, (B) is not the vertebral Arch.
The Vertebral Arch is shown in these x-rays.
Try again!
Choose a new question.
Vertebral Arch
Vertebral Arch

37.  Correct  Yes! (C) is the Dorsal Spinous Process!
Here are more examples.
Try (iv)!
Choose a new question.
Spinous Process
Spinous Process

38.  Incorrect  No (C) is not the Transverse Process.
The Transverse Process is shown in these x-rays.
Try again!
Choose a new question.
Transverse Process
Transverse Process

39.  Incorrect  No, (C) is not the Body of the Vertebra.
The Body of the Vertebra is shown in these x-rays.
Try again!
Choose a new question.
Vertebral Body
Vertebral Body

40. Answer This Vertebra is from the Thoracic region of a cat.
You can tell because of the
long dorsal spinous process,
the very short transverse processes
and the presence of ribs (arrow)!
Try Cervical Vertebrae Q5!
Choose a new question.

41. Cervical Vertebrae Q5 (i) What is A? (ii) What is another name for B?
Axis
Atlas
(iii) Which of the following allows ‘universal ’ movement between the skull and the vertebral column?
Atlanto-Occipital Joint
Atlanto-Axial Joint
Occipito-Atlanto-Axial Complex A B

42.  Correct  Yes! A is the first cervical vertebra or C1!
Here are x-rays of C1
Try (ii)!
Choose a new question. C1
Transverse processes or ‘Wings’ of C1

43.  Incorrect  No, A is not C2 which is the 2nd cervical vertebra!
These x-rays show C2.
Try again!
Choose a new question. C2 C2

44.  Correct 
Yes! B is the 2nd cervical vertebra or C2 which is also known as the Axis!
These x-rays show the Axis.
Try (iii)!
Choose a new question.
Axis
Axis

45.  Incorrect  No, B is not also known as the Atlas.
These x-rays show the Atlas.
Remember: It is the 1st cervical vertebra or C1 that is known as the atlas.
Try again!
Choose a new question.
Atlas
Wings of Atlas

46.  Correct  Try Clinical Considerations Q6! Choose a new question.
Yes! It is the Occipito-Atlanto-Axial Complex that allows universal movement.
The combination of flexion between the skull & C1 + rotation between C1 & C2 allows full movement of the skull relative to the vertebral column while protecting the spinal cord from damage
Try Clinical Considerations Q6!
Choose a new question.
Atlanto-Axial
Atlanto-Occipital
Occipito-Atlanto-Axial

47.  Incorrect 
No, the Atlanto-Occipital Joint does not allow ‘universal’ movement
Movement at this joint is restricted to flexion and extension
Remember: this is the ‘yes’ joint as it allows nodding of the head!
Try again!
Choose a new question.
Atlanto-Occipital joint

48.  Incorrect 
No, the Atlanto-Axial Joint does not allow ‘universal’ movement
Movement at this joint is restricted to lateral rotation
Remember: this is the ‘no’ joint as it allows shaking of the head!
Try again!
Choose a new question.
Atlanto-Axial

49. Clinical Considerations Q6
Do you know what space the needle is in?
Answer.
What structure is outlined when radiographic contrast medium is injected into the subarachnoid space?

50. Answer Try (ii)! Choose a new question.
The needle is in the Cisterna Magna.
A Cerebro-Spinal Fluid sample can be taken from this area.
Radiographic contrast medium
can be injected to help visualise
soft tissue structures not
normally seen in x-rays.
Try (ii)!
Choose a new question.

51. Answer
The Spinal Cord is outlined after radiographic contrast medium is injected into the Sub-Arachnoid Space .
This can be achieved via the cisterna magna or in the lumbar region, as shown in this x-ray.
This technique is called myelography and was used to assess the spinal cord before the advent of advanced imaging techniques such as MRI and CT.
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