Joint · Thoracic spine

Costovertebral joints

Articulationes costovertebrales

The joints where each rib meets the spine — one at the head of the rib against the vertebral bodies, and one where the rib's tubercle meets the transverse process. They are small plane synovial joints and they move with every breath, thousands of times a day, so they are working joints rather than decorative ones. Because they tie the ribs to the thoracic vertebrae, stiffness here shows up as a restricted breath and a mid back that will not rotate.