Typical Thoracic Vertebrae: T2 to T8
Thoracic vertebrae T2 to T8 are all similar, although they do gradually get bigger while going down the spine. A typical thoracic vertebra consists...
Unique Thoracic Vertebrae
The following thoracic vertebrae have unique characteristics that distinguish them from the rest of the thoracic spine: 1. T1 is part of the transi...
How Thoracic Vertebrae Can Contribute to Pain
A thoracic vertebra can contribute to upper back pain in different ways, such as:A severe thoracic scoliosis curve may cause back muscles to become...
Where is the T10 Vertebra Located?
The T10 vertebrae location can be found between the T9 and T11 vertebrae within the torso.
What is the T9 Vertebra?
The ninth thoracic vertebra is also known as T9. It is a segment of the thoracic level of the spinal column and is the first of the four transition vertebrae. The T9 vertebra directly communicates to the adrenal glands through nerves.
Why do thoracic vertebrae fracture?
Thoracic Vertebrae Fractures. Thoracic vertebrae fractures are usually due to accidents with hard falls and physical trauma, or conditions such as osteoporosis. This injury occurs when the vertebrae spine collapses in its weakened state due to pressure.
What is the eleventh thoracic vertebra?
The eleventh thoracic vertebra (T11) is one of the last thoracic spinal vertebrae. It’s the first of the transitional vertebra that is not attached to a true rib, meaning a rib bone that connects to the chest’s sternum.
Why are T9 and T12 considered transitional vertebrae?
Sections T9 - T12 are known as transitional vertebrae because of their proximity and similarity to the lumbar vertebrae. The spinal cord and nerves’ correlation to these levels, along with the rest of the thoracic spine, aid in controlling the trunk of the body. The completeness of the spinal cord damage will determine how severe an injury truly is ...
What are the symptoms of a T11 injury?
A T11 injury will demonstrate itself by severe back and leg pain. If the nerves in the T11 vertebrae are damaged, common symptoms include weakness and numbness in these areas.
What happens if you get a T10 vertebrae?
An injury to the T10 vertebra will likely result in a limited or complete loss of use of the lower abdomen muscles, as well as the buttocks, legs, and feet. A minor injury will result in minor symptoms such as weakness, numbness, as well as partial or complete lack of muscle control over only one side of the body. Severe damage to this vertebra can result in complete paraplegia .
How many thoracic nerves are there?
Each thoracic spinal nerve is named for the vertebra above it. For example, the T3 nerve root runs between the T3 vertebra and T4 vertebra. There are 12 thoracic spinal nerve root pairs (two at each thoracic vertebral level), starting at vertebral level T1-T2 and going down to T12-L1.
What nerves feed into the ventral ramus?
After branching from the spinal cord and traveling through the foramen, a thoracic nerve root branches into two different nerve bundles that feed into the nerves at the front (ventral ramus) and back (dorsal ramus) of the body. At the T1 through T11 levels, the ventral ramus eventually becomes an intercostal nerve that travels along ...
How many nerve roots are there in the thoracic spine?
Thoracic Spinal Nerves. The thoracic spine has 12 nerve roots (T1 to T12) on each side of the spine that branch from the spinal cord and control motor and sensory signals mostly for the upper back, chest, and abdomen. The thoracic spine (highlighted) spans the upper and mid-back. It includes twelve vertebrae named T1 through T12.
What is spinal cord injury?
Spinal cord injuries are usually classified based on the spinal nerve root level where function is reduced or completely lost. For example, a T6 spinal cord injury would impair or lose function at the T6 nerve root level and below.
What nerve travels between the ribs?
At the T1 through T11 levels, the ventral ramus eventually becomes an intercostal nerve that travels along the same path as the ribs (specifically between the innermost and internal intercostal muscles that connect adjacent ribs). At T12, the ventral ramus becomes a subcostal nerve that travels beneath the twelfth rib.
What is the hole in the spinal canal called?
Each thoracic nerve root exits the spinal canal through a bony hole, called an intervertebral foramen. This bony hole is formed by two adjacent vertebrae, and its size and shape can slightly shift as the vertebrae move.
How are motor and sensory functions determined?
The motor and sensory functions provided by a thoracic nerve root are determined by its vertebral level. While these functions can slightly vary from person to person, they typically are as follows:
What is the T9 vertebra?
T9 is considered a unique thoracic vertebra if its vertebral body lacks the bottom costal demifacet. In such cases, the T9 vertebral body only articulates with one rib instead of two (the ninth rib but not the tenth). T10 does not have an inferior costal demifacet, so its ...
What is the T1 vertebral body?
Its vertebral body is more rectangular-shaped (not heart-shaped) and lipped (uncinate process up top on each side). The first rib completely articulates with T1 rather than two vertebrae, because T1’s vertebral body has a full upper facet rather than a demifacet.
What is the term for the joints where a vertebra connects or articulates with a rib?
Costovertebral joints. These joints are where a vertebra connects, or articulates, with a rib. There are two types of costovertebral joints:
How many vertebrae are in the rib cage?
Thoracic Vertebrae and the Rib Cage. The thoracic spine is comprised of 12 vertebrae labeled T1 through T12. The top thoracic vertebra, T1, connects with C7 in the cervical spine above while the bottom thoracic vertebra, T12, connects with L1 in the lumbar spine below. In addition to being connected to adjacent vertebrae, ...
Why are my thoracic vertebrae sore?
Thoracic vertebrae can become painful in other ways, such as from infection or other forms of arthritis.
Which joint is located on each side of the vertebral arch toward the back?
On each side of the vertebral arch toward the back is one superior (above) and one inferior (below) facet lined with smooth cartilage, which articulate with adjacent vertebrae to form facet joints. These joints are also known as zygapophyseal joints or Z joints. Costovertebral joints.
Which vertebrae are similar to the thoracic vertebrae?
Thoracic vertebrae T2 to T8 are all similar, although they do gradually get bigger while going down the spine. A typical thoracic vertebra consists of the following: Vertebral body. This thick, bony front of the vertebra is a rounded heart shape (as viewed from above) in the thoracic spine region.
Can You Fully Recover from a Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury?
Recovery from a thoracic spinal cord injury depends on many different factors.
How does spinal cord injury recovery work?
Spinal cord injury recovery primarily focuses on promoting neuroplasticity through massed practice. Neuroplasticity is the spinal cord’s ability to rewire itself and make adaptive changes so that functions affected by damage can be relearned. However, only undamaged neural pathways are capable of utilizing neuroplasticity. Therefore, those with milder SCIs generally have a better recovery prognosis.
What is T5 spinal cord injury?
T1-T5 thoracic spinal cord injuries primarily affect the muscles in the upper chest, mid-back, and inner arms. As a result, individuals with higher-level thoracic injuries may experience difficulties sitting upright due to a lack of trunk stability. The T1 nerve roots affect sensation in your inner forearm and the ability to spread your fingers ...
How does spinal cord injury affect functional abilities?
It’s important to remember that while the level of the SCI provides general information regarding functional outcomes, the severity of the spinal cord injury greatly affects the functional abilities retained following the injury. The affected motor control and sensation of someone with any specific level of SCI can vary significantly, resulting in differing functional abilities.
What to expect after a thoracic spinal injury?
Wondering what to expect after a thoracic spinal cord injury? Following a thoracic spinal cord injury, individuals experience loss of motor control and sensation in the trunk and/or legs (paraplegia). Depending on the level and severity of the spinal cord injury, the amount of motor control and sensation spared will vary.
Why do people with spinal cord injuries have paralysis?
This occurs because signals from the brain are not able to pass through the damage, disrupting the transmission of messages to areas below the level of injury. As a result, individuals with thoracic spinal cord injuries also experience paralysis in their lower ...
How to promote neuroplasticity?
Therefore, those with milder SCIs generally have a better recovery prognosis. The best way to promote neuroplasticity is to consistently practice affected movements. Highly repetitive movements help stimulate the spinal cord and reinforce demand for those functions to promote neurological adaptations.
What is the degeneration of the thoracic spine?
Degeneration of the thoracic spine refers to changes in the discs between vertebrae that separate and cushion the bone. The discs lose their elasticity and thickness, and while the thoracic spine is the least likely segment of the spine to suffer such changes, it does occur.
What is autonomic function disruption?
Autonomic function disruption refers to the function of structures such as the bowel or bladder, or sexual functions that are controlled by a part of the nervous system known as the autonomic system. They typically get affected when the disc is directly impinging on the spinal cord itself, and are usually indications for more serious treatment, such as surgery.
Where is the pain in the thoracic spine?
The pain is usually located in the upper back, corresponding to the location of the thoracic spine, or can be felt along the ribs if a nerve exiting the spinal cord is compressed by the disc.
Can a herniated disc cause sensory problems?
Sensory Problems. Problems with sensory perception can also show up as a result of nerve compression by a herniated disc. Decreases in sensation, numbness or tingling sensations have all been reported by people with thoracic spine degeneration. These are comparatively more prominent in the lower extremities.
Who is Saad Mohammad?
Saad Mohammad, M.D., is currently in the process of applying to residency anesthesiology. His first published research occurred in 2009 at the American Thoracic Society National Conference where a poster presentation was accepted and at the Bridgeport Symposium 2009.
What is the role of T11 in the spinal cord?
Like all of its spinal counterparts, T11 protects the spinal cord by encasing it in bone .
How many vertebrae are in the thoracic spine?
T11. The thoracic spinal vertebrae consist of 12 total vertebrae and are located between the cervical vertebrae (which begin at the base of the skull) and the lumbar spinal vertebrae.
Is the T11 a spinous process?
Also, unlike other thoracic vertebrae, T11 features a spinous process that is relatively short, and it tends to be horizontal, featuring only a slight curvature. The eleventh thoracic spinal nerve extends from beneath the vertebra. Last medically reviewed on January 20, 2018.
