vertebrates Vertebrates () are animals with a vertebral column (backbone or spine), and a cranium, or skull. The vertebral column surrounds and protects the spinal cord, while the cranium protects the brain. The vertebrates make up the subphylum Vertebra ...

, thoracic vertebrae compose the middle segment of the

vertebral column The spinal column, also known as the vertebral column, spine or backbone, is the core part of the axial skeleton in vertebrates. The vertebral column is the defining and eponymous characteristic of the vertebrate. The spinal column is a segmente ...

, between the

cervical vertebrae In tetrapods, cervical vertebrae (: vertebra) are the vertebrae of the neck, immediately below the skull. Truncal vertebrae (divided into thoracic and lumbar vertebrae in mammals) lie caudal (toward the tail) of cervical vertebrae. In saurop ...

and the

lumbar vertebrae The lumbar vertebrae are located between the thoracic vertebrae and pelvis. They form the lower part of the back in humans, and the tail end of the back in quadrupeds. In humans, there are five lumbar vertebrae. The term is used to describe t ...

. In humans, there are twelve thoracic

vertebrae Each vertebra (: vertebrae) is an irregular bone with a complex structure composed of bone and some hyaline cartilage, that make up the vertebral column or spine, of vertebrates. The proportions of the vertebrae differ according to their spinal ...

of intermediate size between the cervical and lumbar vertebrae; they increase in size going towards the lumbar vertebrae. They are distinguished by the presence of facets on the sides of the bodies for articulation with the heads of the ribs, as well as facets on the

transverse process Each vertebra (: vertebrae) is an irregular bone with a complex structure composed of bone and some hyaline cartilage, that make up the vertebral column or spine, of vertebrates. The proportions of the vertebrae differ according to their spina ...

es of all, except the eleventh and twelfth, for articulation with the tubercles of the ribs. By convention, the human thoracic vertebrae are numbered T1–T12, with the first one (T1) located closest to the skull and the others going down the spine toward the lumbar region.

General characteristics

These are the general characteristics of the second through eighth thoracic vertebrae. The first and ninth through twelfth vertebrae contain certain peculiarities, and are detailed below. The

vertebral bodies Each vertebra (: vertebrae) is an irregular bone with a complex structure composed of bone and some hyaline cartilage, that make up the vertebral column or spine, of vertebrates. The proportions of the vertebrae differ according to their spinal ...

in the middle of the thoracic region are heart-shaped and as broad in the anteroposterior as in the transverse direction. At the ends of the thoracic region they resemble respectively those of the cervical and lumbar vertebrae. They are slightly thicker behind than in front, flat above and below, convex from side to side in front, deeply concave behind, and slightly constricted laterally and in front. They present, on either side, two costal demi-facets, one above, near the root of the pedicle, the other below, in front of the inferior vertebral notch; these are covered with cartilage in the fresh state, and, when the vertebrae are articulated with one another, form, with the intervening intervertebral fibrocartilages, oval surfaces for the reception of the heads of the ribs. Thoracic vertebrae

The pedicles are directed backward and slightly upward, and the inferior vertebral notches are of large size, and deeper than in any other region of the vertebral column. The laminae are broad, thick, and imbricated – that is to say, they overlap those of subjacent vertebrae like tiles on a roof and connect with the pedicles to surround and protect the spinal cord. The

intervertebral foramen The intervertebral foramen (also neural foramen) (often abbreviated as IV foramen or IVF) is an opening between (the intervertebral notches of) two pedicles (one above and one below) of adjacent vertebra in the articulated spine. Each interve ...

is small, and circular, with two at each intervertebral level, one for the right and one for the left exiting nerve roots. The

vertebral foramen In a typical vertebra, the vertebral foramen is the foramen (opening) of a vertebra bounded ventrally/anteriorly by the body of the vertebra, and the dorsally/posteriorly by the vertebral arch. In the articulated spine, the successive vertebral ...

is the large opening posterior to the vertebral body also known as the ''spinal canal''. It contains and protects the spinal cord at the thoracic level. The

spinous process Each vertebra (: vertebrae) is an irregular bone with a complex structure composed of bone and some hyaline cartilage, that make up the vertebral column or spine, of vertebrates. The proportions of the vertebrae differ according to their spina ...

is long, triangular on coronal section, directed obliquely downward, arising from the lamina and ending in a tuberculated extremity. These processes overlap from the fifth to the eighth, but are less oblique in direction above and below. The superior articular processes are thin plates of bone projecting upward from the junctions of the pedicles and laminae; their articular facets are practically flat, and are directed backward and a little lateralward and upward. The

inferior articular processes The articular process or zygapophysis ( + apophysis) of a vertebra is a projection of the vertebra that serves the purpose of fitting with an adjacent vertebra. The actual region of contact is called the ''articular facet''.Moore, Keith L. et al. ...

are fused to a considerable extent with the laminae, and project slightly beyond their lower borders; their facets are directed proximally, medially, and inferiorly to the lamina. The

transverse processes Each vertebra (: vertebrae) is an irregular bone with a complex structure composed of bone and some hyaline cartilage, that make up the vertebral column or spine, of vertebrates. The proportions of the vertebrae differ according to their spina ...

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.

Individual thoracic vertebrae

First thoracic vertebra (T1)

The first thoracic vertebra has, on either side of the body, an entire articular facet for the head of the first rib, and a demi-facet for the upper half of the head of the second rib. The body is like that of a cervical vertebra, being broad, concave, and lipped on either side. The superior articular surfaces are directed upward and backward; the spinous process is thick, long, and almost horizontal. The transverse processes are long, and the upper vertebral notches are deeper than those of the other thoracic vertebrae. The

thoracic spinal nerve 1 The thoracic spinal nerve 1 (T1) is a spinal nerve A spinal nerve is a mixed nerve, which carries Motor neuron, motor, Sensory neuron, sensory, and Autonomic nervous system, autonomic signals between the spinal cord and the body. In the human bod ...

(T1) passes inferior to it.

Second thoracic vertebra (T2)

The

thoracic spinal nerve 2 The thoracic spinal nerve 2 (T2) is a spinal nerve of the thoracic segment.

(T2) passes inferior to it. The second thoracic vertebra is larger than the first thoracic vertebra

Third thoracic vertebra (T3)

The

thoracic spinal nerve 3 The thoracic spinal nerve 3 (T3) is a spinal nerve of the thoracic segment.

(T3) passes inferior to it.

Fourth thoracic vertebra (T4)

The fourth thoracic vertebra, together with the fifth, is at the same level as the

sternal angle The sternal angle (also known as the angle of Lewis, angle of Louis, angle of Ludovic, or manubriosternal junction) is the projecting angle formed between the manubrium and body of a sternum at their junction at the manubriosternal joint. The ster ...

. The

thoracic spinal nerve 4 The thoracic spinal nerve 4 (T4) is a spinal nerve of the thoracic segment.

(T4) passes inferior it. Spine Adult Male Age 57

Fifth thoracic vertebra (T5)

The fifth thoracic vertebra, together with the fourth, is at the same level as the

. The human trachea divides into two main

bronchi A bronchus ( ; : bronchi, ) is a passage or airway in the lower respiratory tract that conducts air into the lungs. The first or primary bronchi to branch from the trachea at the carina are the right main bronchus and the left main bronchus. Thes ...

at the level of the 5th thoracic vertebra, but may also end higher or lower, depending on breathing. The

thoracic spinal nerve 5 The thoracic spinal nerve 5 (T5) is a spinal nerve of the thoracic segment.

(T5) passes inferior to it.

Sixth thoracic vertebra (T6)

The

thoracic spinal nerve 6 The thoracic spinal nerve 6 (T6) is a spinal nerve of the thoracic segment.

(T6) passes inferior to it.

Seventh thoracic vertebra (T7)

The

thoracic spinal nerve 7 The thoracic spinal nerve 7 (T7) is a spinal nerve of the thoracic segment.xiphisternum The xiphoid process (), also referred to as the ensiform process, xiphisternum, or metasternum, constitutes a small cartilaginous process (extension) located in the inferior segment of the sternum, typically ossified in adult humans. Both the Gre ...

. The

thoracic spinal nerve 8 The thoracic spinal nerve 8 (T8) is a spinal nerve of the thoracic segment.thoracic spinal nerve 9 The thoracic spinal nerve 9 (T9) is a spinal nerve of the thoracic segment.

(T9) passes inferior to it. The

xiphisternum The xiphoid process (), also referred to as the ensiform process, xiphisternum, or metasternum, constitutes a small cartilaginous process (extension) located in the inferior segment of the sternum, typically ossified in adult humans. Both the Gre ...

(or xiphoid process of the sternum) is at the same level in the

axial plane A transverse plane is a plane that is rotated 90° from two other planes. Anatomy The transverse plane is an anatomical plane that is perpendicular to the sagittal plane and the dorsal plane. It is also called the axial plane or horizontal ...

Tenth thoracic vertebra (T10)

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. It doesn't have any kind of facet below, because the following ribs only have one facet on their heads. The

thoracic spinal nerve 10 The thoracic spinal nerve 10 (T10) is a spinal nerve of the thoracic segment.

(T10) passes inferior to it.

Eleventh thoracic vertebra (T11)

In the eleventh thoracic vertebra the body approaches in its form and size to that of the lumbar vertebrae. The articular facets for the heads of the ribs are of medium size, and placed chiefly on the pedicles, which are thicker and stronger in this and the next vertebra than in any other part of the thoracic region. The spinous process is short, and nearly horizontal in direction. The transverse processes are very short, tuberculated at their extremities, and do not have articular facets. The

thoracic spinal nerve 11 The thoracic spinal nerve 11 (T11) is a spinal nerve of the thoracic segment.

(T11) passes inferior to it.

Twelfth thoracic vertebra (T12)

The twelfth thoracic vertebra has the same general characteristics as the eleventh, but may be distinguished from it by its inferior articular surfaces being convex and directed lateralward, like those of the lumbar vertebrae; by the general form of the body, laminae, and spinous process, in which it resembles the lumbar vertebrae; and by each transverse process being subdivided into three elevations, the superior, inferior, and lateral tubercles: the superior and inferior correspond to the mammillary and accessory processes of the lumbar vertebrae. Traces of similar elevations are found on the transverse processes of the tenth and eleventh thoracic vertebrae. The

thoracic spinal nerve 12 The thoracic spinal nerve 12 (T12) is a spinal nerve of the thoracic segment. It originates from the spinal column from below the thoracic vertebra 12 (T12). It may also be known as the subcostal nerve The subcostal nerve (anterior division of ...

(T12) passes inferior to it.

Other animals

In other animals the number of thoracic vertebrae can vary greatly; for example, most

marsupial Marsupials are a diverse group of mammals belonging to the infraclass Marsupialia. They are natively found in Australasia, Wallacea, and the Americas. One of marsupials' unique features is their reproductive strategy: the young are born in a r ...

s have 13, but

koalas The koala (''Phascolarctos cinereus''), sometimes inaccurately called the koala bear, is an arboreal herbivorous marsupial native to Australia. It is the only extant representative of the family '' Phascolarctidae''. Its closest living re ...

have only 11. 12 to 15 is common among

mammal A mammal () is a vertebrate animal of the Class (biology), class Mammalia (). Mammals are characterised by the presence of milk-producing mammary glands for feeding their young, a broad neocortex region of the brain, fur or hair, and three ...

s, with 18 to 20 in

horse The horse (''Equus ferus caballus'') is a domesticated, one-toed, hoofed mammal. It belongs to the taxonomic family Equidae and is one of two extant subspecies of ''Equus ferus''. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 mi ...

tapir Tapirs ( ) are large, herbivorous mammals belonging to the family Tapiridae. They are similar in shape to a Suidae, pig, with a short, prehensile nose trunk (proboscis). Tapirs inhabit jungle and forest regions of South America, South and Centr ...

rhinoceros A rhinoceros ( ; ; ; : rhinoceros or rhinoceroses), commonly abbreviated to rhino, is a member of any of the five extant taxon, extant species (or numerous extinct species) of odd-toed ungulates (perissodactyls) in the family (biology), famil ...

es, and

elephant Elephants are the largest living land animals. Three living species are currently recognised: the African bush elephant ('' Loxodonta africana''), the African forest elephant (''L. cyclotis''), and the Asian elephant ('' Elephas maximus ...

s, and extremes in mammals are marked by certain

sloth Sloths are a Neotropical realm, Neotropical group of xenarthran mammals constituting the suborder Folivora, including the extant Arboreal locomotion, arboreal tree sloths and extinct terrestrial ground sloths. Noted for their slowness of move ...

s with 25 and

cetacea Cetacea (; , ) is an infraorder of aquatic mammals belonging to the order Artiodactyla that includes whales, dolphins and porpoises. Key characteristics are their fully aquatic lifestyle, streamlined body shape, often large size and exclusively c ...

ns with 9.Hyman (1922), p.124

Additional images

File:Thoracic vertebrae animation.gif, Position of thoracic vertebrae. Animation. File:Thoracic vertebrae animation2.gif, Same as the left, but bones around the thoracic vertebrae are shown as semi-transparent. Human thoracic vertebra.stl, 3D image File:Thoracic vertebrae - close-up - animation3.gif, Animation showing the shape of thoracic vertebrae. File:Thoracic vertebrae lateral7.png, Lateral surface of the thoracic vertebrae. Right half of the thoracic skeleton is not shown. File:Illu vertebral column.svg, Vertebral column. File:Gray_111_-_Vertebral_column-coloured.png, Vertebral column. File:Gray303.png, Vertebral arches of three thoracic vertebrae viewed from the front. File:Gray314.png, Section of the costotransverse joints from the third to the ninth inclusive. File:Gray82.png, A typical thoracic vertebra, viewed from above. File:Vertebra toracica.JPG, A thoracic vertebra, viewed from above. File:Vertebra toracica inf.JPG, A thoracic vertebra, viewed from below.

Notes

References

External links

Interactive tool to identify parts
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{{Authority control Bones of the thorax Bones of the vertebral column