Which of the following vertebrae provide articulating surfaces for the ribs?
Answer Details
The vertebrae that provide articulating surfaces for the ribs are called the thoracic vertebrae. These are the twelve vertebrae in the middle of the back, between the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) vertebrae. The thoracic vertebrae have small joints on their sides called costovertebral joints, where the head of the rib attaches to the vertebra, and larger joints called costotransverse joints, where the tubercle of the rib attaches to the transverse process of the vertebra. These joints allow the ribs to move during breathing and provide stability to the thoracic spine.