# Thoracic spine model¶

Caution

Unreleased model: The model is under development and not yet included in the managed model repository. The model is used in various research projects and access to the model can be given on request. Please contact us if you are interested in this work.

The thoracic spine model consists of the thoracic vertebral column and the ribcage, including individual ribs and sternum. It can be used as a single segment or as a collection of several segments interconnected by joints replicating physiological connection and load transfer mechanisms.

The thoracic vertebral column contains 12 vertebrae with 3 DoF spherical joints in between each 2 vertebrae, connecting to the cervical spine through a spherical joint at T1C7 levels, and a spherical joint to the lumbar spine at T12L1 levels. Costovertebral and sternocostal joint are also represented through kinematic joints. The majority of the muscle fascicles are defined for the thoracic column and ribcage region.

Warning

Complex model: The Thoracic model is a high complexity model and not recommended for beginners in musculoskeletal modeling and AnyBody.

## Example Configuration¶

The thoracic column and ribcage model comes with several different configurations:

#define BM_TRUNK_RIGCAGE_MODE _RIBCAGE_RIGID_
#define BM_TRUNK_RIGCAGE_MODE _RIBCAGE_SEMI_RIGID_
#define BM_TRUNK_RIGCAGE_MODE _RIBCAGE_POTENTIAL_ENERGY_


## References¶

• Ignasiak, D., Dendorfer, S., Fergusson, S.J. (2016), “Thoracolumbar spine model with articulated ribcage for the prediction of dynamic spinal loading”, Journal of Biomechanics, vol. 49 (6), pp. 959-966.