Thoracic Spine (mid-back)Thoracic Spine (mid-back) | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The thoracic spine is comprised of 12 individual segments numbered from top to bottom with ribs attached at both sides of each segment. The parts of the vertebrae called the
"bodies" stack on top of each other creating a column which forms the front surface of the spine. Between the vertebrae are pads of cartilage called "intervertebral discs". Behind the main column, running the entire length of the spine is a tunnel for
the spinal cord and nerves called the "spinal canal". All this is surrounded by bone structure which has gaps from one segment to the next. Each segment of this structure attaches to a single vertebral body. Each segment has a portion called the
lamina which forms most of the back wall of the spinal canal and there is a ligament filling the gaps between the laminae from one segment to the next. Also, there are joints called "facets" formed by the contact of special surfaces on the upper and
lower faces of each segment and on both sides of the canal. A single facet joint is made of the upper surface from one segment and the lower surface of another segment. Some sliding movement between the surfaces at each joint is expected to permit a
limited degree of spinal mobility. The intervertebral discs are just supposed to flex or twist a little during movements. Due to the added bracing of the ribcage, there is less flexing and very little twisting movement in this portion of the spine. As
a result, the cartilage discs between the vertebral bodies of the thoracic spine are protected against certain stresses but degeneration still occurs in these discs just as it does elsewhere. Not counting larger deformities of the thoracic spine such as
scoliosis, the most common problem requiring treatment, although not truly frequent, is disc herniation. The occurrence of bone spurs (as discussed on the cervical spine page) is less common but certainly possible. Each of the exiting nerves of the
thoracic spine has very limited function with exception of the first two. As a result, important neurological malfunctions involving the thoracic spine are usually related to the spinal cord. |
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Herniated Thoracic Disc
