Thoracic how many vertebrae

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Find a Doctor. Need Help? Available 24 Hours A Day. Schedule a Callback. Adult Primary Care. Pediatric Primary Care. Urgent Care. Looking for a Physician. There are six facets per thoracic vertebrae: two on the transverse processes and four demifacets—the facets of the transverse processes articulate with the tubercle of the associated rib. The demifacets are bilaterally paired and located on the superior and inferior posterolateral aspects of the vertebrae. They are positioned so that the superior demifacet of the inferior vertebrae articulates with the head of the same rib that articulates with the inferior demifacet of the superior rib.

For example, the inferior demifacets of T4 and the superior demifacets of T5 articulate with the head of rib 5. The length of the transverse processes decreases as the column descends. The positioning of the ribs and spinous processes greatly limits flexion and extension of the thoracic vertebrae. However, T5-T8 have the greatest rotation ability of the thoracic region.

Thoracic vertebrae have superior articular facets that face in a posterolateral direction. The spinous process is long, relative to other regions, and is directed posteroinferiorly. This projection gradually increases as the column descends before decreasing rapidly from T9-T The intervertebral disc height is, on average, the least of the vertebral regions.

They alone articulate with the first rib; C7 has no costal facets. T1 does, however, have typical inferior demifacets for articulation with the second rib. T1 also has a long, almost horizontal spinous process, similar to a cervical vertebra that may be as long as the vertebra prominens of C7.

It is also possible for a rib to become misaligned or displaced from the vertebrae. In many cases, facet joint degeneration osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease can happen at the same time.

See Causes of Upper Back Pain. Many other possible causes of upper back pain exist, such as a thoracic herniated disc , various types of arthritis, and osteoporosis vertebral compression fractures. Understanding Upper Back and Chest Pain. Scheuermann's Disease of the Thoracic and Lumbar Spine. You are here Conditions Spine Anatomy. Peer Reviewed. Causes of Upper Back Pain Video. White A, Panjabi M.