What portion of a rib articulates with the body of a vertebra?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The head of the rib articulates with the bodies of thoracic vertebrae at the costal facets (demifacets), so the correct answer is "Head of the rib."

1. Relevant knowledge points and concepts
- Rib anatomy: each typical rib has a head, neck, tubercle, angle, and body (shaft).
- Vertebral articulation: the head of a typical rib bears two articular facets that contact the superior costal facet of the same-numbered vertebra and the inferior costal facet of the vertebra above (demifacets). The tubercle of the rib articulates with the transverse process of the corresponding vertebra.

2. Step-by-step reasoning
- Identify which rib part contacts vertebral bodies: the head is specifically shaped with articular surfaces for vertebral body facets.
- Determine which part contacts transverse process: the tubercle does this, not the head.
- Exclude parts that are structural or anterior: the body (shaft) mainly provides contour and connects to costal cartilage anteriorly, while neck and angle are transitional or curving regions without primary vertebral body articulation.

3. Intermediate anatomical details (no numeric calculations)
- The head typically has two facets: one faces superiorly to articulate with the vertebral body above, one faces inferiorly to articulate with its corresponding vertebral body.
- Example: the 5th rib head articulates with the inferior costal facet of T4 and the superior costal facet of T5; its tubercle articulates with the transverse process of T5.

4. Why the correct answer is correct
- By definition and by joint anatomy, the head of the rib forms the costovertebral (costocorporeal) joint with the vertebral bodies via its articular facets. This direct, articular relationship is unique to the rib head.

5. Why other options are incorrect
- Body of the rib: the shaft does not articulate with vertebral bodies; it curves anteriorly and attaches via costal cartilage to the sternum (or indirectly in false ribs).
- Neck of the rib: a short region between head and tubercle; it does not form the primary articulation with vertebral bodies.
- Angle of the rib: the point of greatest curvature in the shaft, not an articular surface with vertebrae.
- Tubercle of the rib: articulates with the transverse process of the vertebra, not the vertebral body.

6. Conclusion
The head of the rib is the portion that articulates with the body of a vertebra, confirming the provided correct answer: Head of the rib.

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