title: Ligaments of the Costovertebral Joints including Biomechanics, Innervations, and Clinical Applications: A Comprehensive Review with Application to Approaches to the Thoracic Spine.
abstract: Few studies have examined the costovertebral joint and its ligaments in detail. Therefore, the following review was performed to better elucidate their anatomy, function and involvement in pathology. Standard search engines were used to find studies concerning the costovertebral joints and ligaments. These often-overlooked ligaments of the body serve important functions in maintaining appropriate alignment between the ribs and spine. With an increasing interest in minimally invasive approaches to the thoracic spine and an improved understanding of the function and innervation of these ligaments, surgeons and clinicians should have a good working knowledge of these structures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University School of Medicine, Grenada, West Indies.
authors.forename: Erfanul
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Saker
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, The Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education.
authors.forename: Rachel A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Samford University.
authors.forename: Renee
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nicholas
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, The Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education.
authors.forename: Anthony V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: D'Antoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University School of Medicine, Grenada, West Indies.
authors.forename: Marios
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loukas
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery, Complex Spine, Swedish Neuroscience Institute.
authors.forename: Rod J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Oskouian
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery, Seattle Science Foundation.
authors.forename: R Shane
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Tubbs
keywords: anatomy; costovertebral joint; spine; thoracic