Radiate ligament
Encyclopedia
The radiate ligament connects the anterior part of the head of each rib with the side of the bodies of two vertebræ, and the intervertebral fibrocartilage between them.
It consists of three flat fasciculi, which are attached to the anterior part of the head of the rib, just beyond the articular surface.
The radiate ligament is in relation, in front, with the thoracic ganglia
of the sympathetic trunk
, the pleura, and, on the right side, with the azygos vein
; behind, with the interarticular ligament
and synovial membranes.
In the case of the first rib, this ligament is not divided into three fasciculi, but its fibers are attached to the body of the last cervical vertebra, as well as to that of the first thoracic.
In the articulations of the heads of the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth ribs, each of which articulates with a single vertebra, the triradiate arrangement does not exist; but the fibers of the ligament in each case are connected to the vertebra above, as well as to that with which the rib articulates.
It consists of three flat fasciculi, which are attached to the anterior part of the head of the rib, just beyond the articular surface.
- The superior fasciculus ascends and is connected with the body of the vertebra above.
- The inferior one descends to the body of the vertebra below.
- The middle one, the smallest and least distinct, is horizontal and is attached to the intervertebral fibrocartilage.
The radiate ligament is in relation, in front, with the thoracic ganglia
Thoracic ganglia
The thoracic ganglia are paravertebral ganglia. The thoracic portion of the sympathetic trunk typically has 12 thoracic ganglia. Emerging from the ganglia are thoracic splanchnic nerves that help provide sympathetic innervation to abdominal structures.Also, the ganglia of the thoracic sympathetic...
of the sympathetic trunk
Sympathetic trunk
The sympathetic trunks are a paired bundle of nerve fibers that run from the base of the skull to the coccyx.-Structure:...
, the pleura, and, on the right side, with the azygos vein
Azygos vein
The azygos vein is a vein running up the right side of the thoracic vertebral column. It can also provide an alternate path for blood to the right atrium by allowing the blood to flow between the venae cavae when one vena cava is blocked.-Structure:...
; behind, with the interarticular ligament
Interarticular ligament
The intra-articular ligament of head of rib is situated in the interior of the articulation of head of rib....
and synovial membranes.
In the case of the first rib, this ligament is not divided into three fasciculi, but its fibers are attached to the body of the last cervical vertebra, as well as to that of the first thoracic.
In the articulations of the heads of the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth ribs, each of which articulates with a single vertebra, the triradiate arrangement does not exist; but the fibers of the ligament in each case are connected to the vertebra above, as well as to that with which the rib articulates.