Synonyms
BWS, thoracic vertebrae, thoracic vertebral body, kyphosis, dorsalgia, rib blocking, vertebral block
Anatomy
The thoracic spine is part of the spinal column as a whole, also called the spine. There are 12 thoracic vertebrae (Vertebrae thoracicae), which make up the central part of the spine and form the thorax together with the ribs (Costae) and the sternum. Naturally, the thoracic spine has a slight curvature when viewed from the side (kyphosis).
Here, the spinal column is convexly curved backwards. Pathologically increased thoracic spine curvature, for example in Scheuermann’s disease or osteoporosis, results in a hunchback (hyperkyphosis), also known as a “hump” in the vernacular as an extreme form. Lateral deviations of the spinal column are called scoliosis.
Blockages of the thoracic spine
In the area of the thoracic spine, blockages of the vertebral joints or costal vertebral joints often occur. Typically, pain is felt between the shoulder blades, which can also pull in the direction of the ribcage in a belt-like manner. The pain caused by a blockage is mostly motion-dependent, sometimes breath-dependent.
Towards the back, the vertebral body continues into the vertebral arch. The vertebral arch extensions that begin in the vertebral body are called pedicles. They are of particular importance in spinal surgery because they are used to insert the screws into the vertebral body during spinal fusion (spondylodesis).
The posterior end of the vertebral arch forms the vertebral plate (lamina). Where the two vertebral plates meet is where the spinous process (Processus spinosus) begins, which in the thoracic spine region projects steeply downwards and is easy to feel on the back, even for the layman. Together with the vertebral body, the vertebral arch forms the vertebral hole (foramen vertebrale, vertebral canal, spinal canal) through which the spinal cord passes towards the foot.
The clinical picture of spinal canal stenosis describes a too narrow spinal canal with resulting nerve damage to the spinal cord or spinal nerves. In the lateral view of the spinal column, the arch roots of two adjacent vertebral bodies form a hole open to the side (Foramen intervetebrale, Neuroforamen), from which the spinal nerves leave the spinal canal. In addition to the spinous process, the transverse processes (processus transversi), which serve as starting points for the muscles and ligamentous structures accompanying the spinal column, also leave the vertebral arch.
Two further smaller processes, one above and one below, form the upper and lower intervertebral joints (superior and inferior articular processes; facets). They are important for the mobility of the thoracic spine. Wear and tear of the joint cartilage surface can cause persistent back pain, known as symptomatic spondylarthrosis or facet syndrome.
However, the most frequent occurrence of facet syndrome is in the lumbar and cervical spine. A special feature of the thoracic spine is the articulated connection to the ribs. Together with the ribs and the sternum, a kind of upward and downward open (upper and lower thoracic aperture), conical basket is formed, which is why it is called the thorax (thorax).
The socket for the rib head is located at the upper and lower edges of the thoracic vertebrae. The individual thoracic vertebra consists of a thoracic vertebral body (Corpus vertebra), a thoracic vertebral arch (Arcus vertebra) and thoracic vertebral processes (Processus vertebrae). The vertebral body consists mainly of spongy bone (spongiosa).
Its solid bone ends (corticalis) facing downwards and upwards are also known as base and cover plates. The adjacent intervertebral disc lies on them, followed by the next vertebral body. The thickened lateral edges of the vertebral bodies are called marginal ridges. These terms have practical meaning, especially when describing changes in the X-ray or MRI of the thoracic spine. – Vertebral bodies
- Transverse process
- Joint process / vertebral joint
- Spinous process
- Vortex hole
