Thoracic vertebra
The thoracic spine continues the cervical spine downward. It consists of 12 vertebrae which, although similar in structure to the cervical vertebrae, are much more massive in terms of their vertebral structure. One of the main reasons for this is that the thoracic spine must support a much greater mass than the cervical spine.
The thoracic spine also has a significant influence on the statics of a person and is responsible for the ability to walk upright. The thoracic vertebrae also consist of a vertebral body consisting of a partially ossified so-called compact plate. At the back of the vertebrae there are small holes that serve as outlets for vital blood vessels.
The vein and the basivertebral artery are the most important. At the sides, the thoracic vertebrae have a small bony protrusion. In contrast to the cervical vertebral bodies, the ribs in the area of the thoracic vertebral bodies attach to the vertebrae.
At the lateral projections, they find a stable hold and pull forward in an arched manner, thus forming the thorax. The thoracic vertebral bodies also have a skewer-shaped bony projection running backwards, which is called the processus spinosus. These protrusions are in contact with the adjacent vertebral bodies and thus form a stable bony union.
There are two openings between each vertebral body. First, as with the cervical vertebral bodies, the openings that allow the spinal cord to be pulled through from top to bottom, and second, openings between the spinal processes that are open to the sides. The diameter of the vertebrae increases from the first to the twelfth thoracic vertebra, which can also be explained by the constantly increasing load to be carried and the static demands.
There is a disc between each thoracic vertebrae. This is a cartilaginous plate, which is needed as a necessary separation between the vertebral bodies. If the intervertebral disc were not present, bone would rub against bone, which would lead to massive movement impairments and pain.
In the case of a herniated disc, a part of the disc protrudes between the two vertebral bodies, which can cause precisely these complaints. However, herniated discs of the thoracic spine are rare. Most herniated disks are found in the lumbar spine, followed by the cervical spine.
In addition to its protective function, the intervertebral disc also has a “lubricating” function and prevents excessive friction during movements that can be performed in the thoracic spine. As a third task, shock-absorbing effects are attributed to the intervertebral discs, which should have a damping effect on jumping movements. In the thoracic spine, flexion to the front and back can be performed as well as lateral movements and so-called torsional movements.