The intermediate vertebrae all follow the trend of increasing size from superior to inferior as a result of the greater body weight supported by the inferior vertebrae. In human, thoracic vertebrae consists of 12 bones. The higher the level of your spinal cord injury, the more functions will be affected. The thoracic spinal nerve 5 (T5) passes out underneath it. The posterior, superior, and lateral views of a thoracic vertebra. Ventricles, meninges and blood vessels of the brain, Muscles affecting thoracic vertebrae function, skeletal system quizzes and free worksheets, 12 vertebrae connected with intervertebral discs (nucleus pulposus + anulus fibrosus), Spinalis muscle (part of the erector spinae), longissimus muscle, Costal facets: transverse costal facet, superior costal facet, and inferior costal facet. Imaging tests may include: These tests help doctors determine the best course of action. A typical thoracic vertebra, seen from lateral side. The vertebrae are illustrated in the below image: The thoracic vertebrae function to support the back. Most of the thoracic vertebrae share various anatomical characteristics. Each thoracic vertebra articulates with a pair of ribs at facets (or small depressions) on the vertebral bodies and transverse processes (except at T11 and T12). In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention... More: Car Crash Traumatic Brain Injury », A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when there is a “bump, blow, or jolt to the head” that causes issues with the functions of the... More: TBI Traumatic Brain Injury », Yes, a fall can cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The superior articular processes end in smooth surfaces facing posteriorly to meet the articular process of the vertebra above. Position of .mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{}  thoracic vertebrae. The body is like that of a cervical vertebra, being broad, concave, and lipped on either side. Some treatments for patients with thoracic vertebrae injuries include: Doctors will often give anti-inflammatory medications to spinal cord injury patients. It includes twelve vertebrae named T1 through T12. Unlike other areas of the spinal column, the 12 thoracic vertebrae connect to the rib cage. The fourth and fifth vertebrae are located at the sternal angle, a palpable landmark that is useful in clinical procedures. Articulated view of the inferior costal facet of a thoracic vertebrae. The spinal cord runs through the vertebral foramen of a vertebra where is it thus protected since it is encased throughout the vertebrae. Lumbar (low back) - the main function of the lumbar spine is to bear the weight of the body. Right half of the thoracic skeleton is not shown. Thoracic spine facets and demifacets devoted to rib articulation demonstrate the main function of the thoracic spine. They are used constantly, and people may face issues caused by poor posture, as well as traumatic fractures. The Thoracic Spine: Roles and Functions. Given the lack of a functional disc between two vertebrae increased pressure can cause a lot of spinal cord pain, and create a might higher risk of bone fracturing and damaging of the adjacent vertebral bones since they will rub on each other. All Rights Reserved. Scoliosis, or curved back, is an abnormal curvature of the vertebral column characterized by an exaggerated lateral curvature together with a rotation of the vertebrae. The thoracic vertebrae are located in the middle section of the vertebral column, specifically inferior to the cervical vertebrae and superior to the lumbar vertebrae. The thoracic spinal nerve 7 (T7) passes out underneath it. They are distinguished by the presence of facets on the sides of the bodies for articulation with the heads of the ribs Thoracic vertebrae have articular facets for ribs, and all ribs are attached to thoracic vertebrae. Their articulations with the ribs allow them to provide a protective cage around the delicate organs of the thorax, including the heart and lungs. Our engaging videos, interactive quizzes, in-depth articles and HD atlas are here to get you top results faster. Learn vertebrae anatomy quicker and more efficiently with these diagrams and interactive quizzes. On the other hand, vertebrae T11 and T12 have no transverse costal facets. In addition, the spinous processes are relatively more pointed than other vertebrae, and angle sharply downward. Lateral view of the inferior articular process of a thoracic vertebra. Inside the annulus fibrosus is the gel-like nucleus pulposus that acts as a soft shock absorber to prevent collisions between the vertebrae. Same as the left, but bones around the thoracic vertebrae are shown as semi-transparent. The vertebral foramen allows the spinal cord to pass through each of the vertebrae and is formed by the position of the vertebral arches projecting off each body. Dimitrios Mytilinaios MD, PhD The lamina of the thoracic vertebrae are broad, thick, and imbricated (which means their adjacent sides overlap similar to roof tiles or scales of a fish); lamina function to connect with the pedicles to surround and protect the spinal cord. Kim Bengochea, Regis University, Denver, Author: The bulk of the bony mass of the thoracic vertebrae is located within a cylindrical region known as the vertebral body or centrum. Lateral surface of the    thoracic vertebrae. Vertebra and Spinal Cord (Cross-section View). The thoracic vertebrae are between the neck (cervical spine) and lower back (lumbar spine). The transverse processes arise from the arch behind the superior articular processes and pedicles; they are thick, strong, and of considerable length, directed obliquely backward and lateralward, and each ends in a clubbed extremity, on the front of which is a small, concave surface, for articulation with the tubercle of a rib. Unlike other areas of the spinal column, the 12 thoracic vertebrae connect to the rib cage. Functions Affected by Thoracic Spine Injury. The body also has small, smooth, and somewhat concave costal facets for the attachment of the ribs. Thoracic vertebrae are unique among the bones of the spine in that they are the only vertebrae that support ribs and have overlapping spinous processes. The xiphisternum (or xiphoid process of the sternum) is at the same level in the axial plane. The transverse processes are long, and the upper vertebral notches are deeper than those of the other thoracic vertebrae. Some of the most common effects of injuries to the thoracic vertebrae with spinal cord involvement include: Treatment for thoracic vertebrae injuries and related spinal cord injuries vary depending on the involvement of the spinal cord and the completeness of the spinal cord injury. Each vertebrae has two intervertebral foramina that allow nerve roots to exit the spinal cord. The vertebrae are separated by intervertebral discs of fibrocartilage, which are flexible cartilage discs located between the bodies of two adjacent vertebrae that allow movement in the spine and have a shock absorbing or cushioning function as well. It contains and protects the spinal cord at the thoracic level. Animation showing the shape of    thoracic vertebrae. Each thoracic vertebra supports a pair of ribs and contains a pair of smooth, concave joint-forming processes known as facets on its sides. It consists of twelve vertebrae, which are separated by fibrocartilaginous intervertebral discs. In the thoracic vertebrae, the spinous processes are long and triangular. It starts just below the skull and ends just above the thoracic spine. For each of the 12 thoracic vertebrae, there is a corresponding pair of ribs attached to them. The thoracic spinal cord innervates the muscles and skin that make up the inner regions of your arms as well as your chest and trunk. If the spinal cord sustains damage in this area, the patient could face paralysis from the chest or mid-torso down. 1. This means that the rib will articulate with the inferior costal facet of the upper vertebrae and the superior costal facet of the lower vertebrae. You have the legal right to pursue compensation for your medical care, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, and more. However, they are various anatomical features that make them quite dinstinct compared to other groups of vertebrae. Like typical vertebrae, they are separated by intervertebral discs. The tenth thoracic vertebra has an entire articular facet (not demi-facet) on either side, which is placed partly on the lateral surface of the pedicle. In total, the adult human body typically has 23 discs, with the first found between cervical vertebrae 2 and 3, and the last one is found between the lumbar vertebra and the sacrum. There is a core of gel-like material known as the nucleus pulposus, which helps to provide a cushion and act as a shock absorber, especially for movements between the vertebrae. Superior articular processes are thin plates of bone, which project upward from the junctions of the pedicles and laminae, with facets that are nearly flat and directed backward, lateralward, and upward. This is since the weight of the body compresses the intervertebral discs during the day as they move about through their usual business, and the compression on these discs squeezes the water out of them. It often takes incredible force to injure the thoracic part of the spine. Ribs are generally inserted between two vertebrae, such that each vertebra contributes to articulating with half of the articular surface. The thoracic vertebrae make up the mid-back portion of the spinal column. All rights reserved. The thoracic spinal nerve 8 (T8) passes out underneath it. Retrieved from https://biologydictionary.net/thoracic-vertebrae/. Vertebral arches of three thoracic vertebrae viewed from the front.