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• Thoracic Vertebrae

Thoracic Vertebrae

The thoracic vertebrae are the bones in the middle of the vertebral column between the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) regions. The 12 bones that comprise the thoracic spine extend from the shoulders to the waist, and these vertebrae serve as attachment points for the rib cage.

Like other vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae protect the spinal cord and provide structural support for the head, shoulders, and chest. Each thoracic vertebra is intermediate in size compared to the other vertebrae in the spinal column.

The spinal canal is a circular opening through which the spinal cord passes, and this canal it is relatively large in the region of the thoracic vertebrae. Because of this, spinal cord compression is less likely to occur in the thoracic region. In fact, vertebrae in the thoracic region are less subject to a number of conditions that frequently befall the cervical vertebrae and lumbar vertebrae. This is because the thoracic region has a more limited range of motion than the cervical (neck) region, and is not responsible for bearing as heavy a load as the lumbar (lower back) region.

The thoracic vertebrae are, however, still susceptible to conditions including spondylolisthesis, compression fractures, and spondylosis. Spondylolisthesis, though most common in the lumbar spine, can have symptoms that include back pain, tight hamstring muscles – and in advanced cases – the development of a "waddling" gait.

Compression fractures are caused by osteoporosis or a trauma to the spine, and they can cause painful symptoms, depending on the amount of displaced bone material placing pressure on the surrounding nerves.

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Spondylosis is a term for arthritis of the spine, and when it affects the thoracic vertebrae, it can cause symptoms including back pain, stiffness, and discomfort when bending or extending your body.

If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, it’s important that you see your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.