The thoracic spine consists of 12 vertebrae (T1-T12) located between the cervical and lumbar regions. Each thoracic vertebra has facets that articulate with the heads of the ribs to form the rib cage. The thoracic vertebrae are larger than the cervical vertebrae with thicker discs in between. Key joints of the thoracic spine include the costovertebral joints between the vertebral facets and rib heads, and the costotransverse joints between the transverse processes and rib tubercles. Ligaments and muscles also connect the thoracic vertebrae and ribs.

1. BIOMECHANICS OF
THORACIC SPINE
Submitted By: Sakshi Upadhyay
MPT Sports

2. Anatomy of Spine
• The human spine is made up of 33 spinal bones, called vertebrae.
• Commonly known as Spine, Spinal
Column and Backbone.
7 CERVICAL
12 THORACIC
5 LUMBAR
5 SACRAL
4 COCCYGEAL

3. • Vertebral Column Located just below the occipital bone and extends
up to the tip of the coccyx (tailbone).
Parts of the Vertebral Column
• Spinous processes
• Transverse processes
• Pedicles
• Lamina
• Articular processes

4. • There are 12 medium-sized thoracic vertebrae (T1-T12) in the spine,
with thicker intervertebral discs than cervical ones.
• The size of the individual vertebra increases gradually down the spine.
• Their function is to articulate with the bony ribs, forming the rib cage
or thoracic cage.

5. STRUCTURE OF A TYPICAL VERTEBRAE

6. THORACIC SPINE

7. • FACETS
• They are located on the sides of each vertebral body.
• Consist of cartilage lined depression, articulate with head of the ribs.
• JOINTS
SUPERIOR FACET :
articulate with head of
adjacent ribs.
INFERIOR FACET : articulate
with the head of the rib
below.
COSTOVERTEBRAL JOINT : Head of rib
articulate with
• Superior costal facet of corresponding
vertebrae.
• Inferior costal facet of the superior
vertebrae.
• Intervertebral disc
COSTOTRANSVERSE JOINT
Articulation of transverse process of a thoracic
vertebrae and the tubercle of the adjacent ribs.
Present in all vertebrae except T11 and T12

8. LIGAMENTS

9. MUSCLES

13. REFERENCES
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4534848/
• JOINT STRUCTURE and FUNCTION by Cynthia Norkins