Cranial costal facet
Fovea costalis cranialis
Definition
The cranial costal facet is an articular surface located on the cranial aspect of the body of a thoracic vertebra that articulates with a rib.
It receives the cranial half of the articular facet of the costal head, while the other half articulates with the caudal costal facet of the vertebra. Together, they form a costovertebral joint with the corresponding costal head, called the joint of head rib.
Variation:
In dogs, from the twelfth thoracic vertebra onward, it becomes the only costal fossa present and constitutes a complete articular surface for the corresponding rib. This transition is sometimes observed from the eleventh thoracic vertebra onward.
In cats, it becomes the only costal fossa present from the eleventh thoracic vertebra onward.
References
Evans HE, de Lahunta A. Miller’s anatomy of the dog. 5th edition. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2013. Chapter 4, The skeleton; p. 80–157.
Laborda Val J, et al. Atlas of canine arthrology. 1st edition. Zaragoza: Servet; 2019. Chapter 2, Head and axial region; p. 16–44.
