The Thoracic Spine/Thoracic Vertebrae

The thoracic spine, guarded by the rib cage and the sacrum, is not as mobile as the other parts of the back. Keep in mind that your spinal column supports the head and allows the entire torso to bend and twist. The spinal column also protects the spinal cord, which houses a bundle of nerves, or ganglia, that connect our brain to our body. The interdependent relationship between the spinal column and the spinal cord is a wondrous, complex marvel that few of us ever think about.

The 12 thoracic vertebrae are situated between the cervical (neck) vertebrae and the lumbar vertebrae. The vertebra are numbered from one to twelve and labeled T1, T2, T3 etc. from the upper most bones to the lowest, and provide attachment for the ribs and make up part of the back of the thorax (the chest).

The thoracic vertebrae increase in size from T1 through T12. They are characterized by small pedicles, long spinous processes, and relatively large intervertebral foramen (neural passageways), which result in less incidence of nerve compression.

The last vertebra attaches to the lumbar (lower) spine, and the top vertebra attaches to the cervical (neck) section of the back. The vertebra are broader and stronger than the cervical bones. This allows them to absorb the added pressure applied to the mid back, but they remain a common sight of injury.

The thoracic spine, guarded by the rib cage and the sacrum, is not as mobile as the other parts of the back. Because of this fact, this region of the spine is not as common a site for pain when compared to the cervical or lumbar spines.

Keep in mind that your spinal column supports the head and allows the entire torso to bend and twist. The spinal column also protects the spinal cord, which houses a bundle of nerves, or ganglia, that connect our brain to our body. The interdependent relationship between the spinal column and the spinal cord is a wondrous, complex marvel that few of us ever think about. Below are the different views of the thoracic vertebrae.

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