articulation of head of rib articulation of head of rib the articulations of the heads of the ribs (or costocentral articulations) constitute a series of gliding or arthrodial joints, and are formed by the articulation of the heads of the typical ribs with the costal facets on the contiguous margins of the bodies of the thoracic vertebrae and with the intervertebral discs between them; the first, eleventh and twelfth ribs each articulate with a single vertebra. articulation of head of ribthe articulation of head of rib seen from the fronthuman thoracic vertebra. notice the articulations for the ribsdetailsidentifierslatinarticulatio capitis costaeta98a03.3.04.002ta21721fma7951anatomical terminology the ligaments of the joints are: intra-articular ligament of head of rib radiate ligament of head of rib additional images orientation of the rib cage on the vertebral column