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Thoracic Vertebrae

The twelve thoracic vertebrae are located in the middle of the vertebral column andeach articulates with a pair of ribs.

Most of the thoracic vertebrae share the anatomical characteristics described below.However, the upper and lower thoracic vertebrae vary slightly in their appearance.

T1 somewhat resembles the last cervical vertebra (C7) and T9 - T12 progressively look

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more like the lumbar vertebrae.

Bone Markings:

a. Body (or centrum):

(Corpus vertebrae) - a heart-shaped cylindrical mass on the anterior side of thevertebra. It articulates with vertebral bodies (or centrums) above and below.

b. Superior costal demifacet:

(Fovea costalis superior) - a depression on the superiolateral surface of the body. It

serves as the lower half of a facet (= demifacet) that articulates with the head of the rib.The upper half of the facet is found on the body of the thoracic vertebra above.

c. Inferior costal demifacet:

(Fovea costalis inferior) - a depression on the inferiolateral surface of the body. It

serves as the upper half of a facet (= demifacet) that articulates with the head of the rib.The lower half of the facet is found on the body of the thoracic vertebra below.

d. Vertebral (spinal) foramen:

(Foramen vertebrale) - a large opening in the center of the bone that forms apassageway for the spinal cord.

e. Vertebral (or neural) arch:

(Arcus vertebrae) - a bony posterior arch made up of two pedicles, two laminae, and aspinous process. The arch encloses the posterior portion of the vertebral foramen andprotects the spinal cord from damage.

f. Pedicle of the vertebral arch:

(Pediculus arcus vertebrae) - a posterior extension from the body. The left and rightpedicles form the bases of the vertebral arch (L., pediculus, a little foot; stalk).

g. Lamina of the vertebral arch:

(Lamina archus vertebrae) - a plate of bone that extends from the pedicle to thespinous process. The left and right laminae form the dorsal portion of the vertebral arch.

h. Spinous process:

(Processus spinosus) - a narrow, posterior extension from the junction of the twolaminae. The downward projecting processes are long and narrow and have anexpanded (tuberculated) tip. They are the attachment points for ligaments and musclesthat move the vertebral column.

i. Transverse process:

(Processus transversus) - a thick, elongated projection that extends lateroposteriorlyfrom the junction of pedicle and lamina. It serves as an attachment point for severalback muscles.

j.Transverse costal facet:

(Fovea costalis transversalis) - a slightly concave surface on the lateral aspect of the

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transverse process, which is also called the transverse costal fovea (L., costa, rib). Itserves as an area of articulation with the tubercle of the rib.

k. Superior articular facet:

(Facies articularis superior) - a posterior facing, flattened surface on the superiorarticular process. It is located near the junction of the pedicles and laminae andarticulates with the inferior articular facet on the vertebra above.

l. Superior vertebral notch:

(Incisura vertebralis superior) - a slight indentation on the superior surface of thepedicle.

m. Inferior vertebral notch:

(Incisura vertebralis inferior) - a large indentation on the inferior surface of the pedicle.

n. Intervertebral foramen:

(Foramina intervertebralia) - a large opening formed by the inferior vertebral notch onthe vertebra above and the superior vertebral notch on the vertebra below. The opening,which is also called the neural foramen or lateral foramen, serves as a passagewayfor a spinal nerve and a pair of spinal nerve roots.