What feature is unique to the thoracic vertebrae?

What feature is unique to the thoracic vertebrae?

The thoracic vertebrae are a group of twelve small bones that form the vertebral spine in the upper trunk. Thoracic vertebrae are unique among the bones of the spine in that they are the only vertebrae that support ribs and have overlapping spinous processes.

What distinguishes thoracic vertebrae from other types of vertebrae?

The thoracic vertebrae are distinguished from their lumbar and cervical counterparts by their articulation with the ribs. There are two points of connection of the ribs with the thoracic vertebral column. One is at the vertebrae, and the second is at the transverse process.

What is the difference between thoracic and lumbar vertebrae?

Thoracic vertebrae refer to the each of the twelve bones of the backbone to which the ribs are attached while lumbar vertebrae refer to the any of the vertebrae situated below the thoracic vertebrae and above the sacrum. Thus, this is the fundamental difference between thoracic and lumbar vertebrae.

What are the characteristics and components of the thoracic vertebrae?

Relative to cervical and lumbar vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae have:

• medium-sized, heart shaped vertebral bodies.
• medium-sized vertebral canal.
• prominent transverse processes with costal facets.
• long spinous processes angulating downwards.

What type of bone is thoracic vertebrae?

Flat Bones
1. Flat Bones Protect Internal Organs. There are flat bones in the skull (occipital, parietal, frontal, nasal, lacrimal, and vomer), the thoracic cage (sternum and ribs), and the pelvis (ilium, ischium, and pubis). The function of flat bones is to protect internal organs such as the brain, heart, and pelvic organs.

Where is thoracic vertebrae?

The thoracic spine is the second segment of the vertebral column, located between the cervical and lumbar vertebral segments. It consists of twelve vertebrae, which are separated by intervertebral discs. Along with the sternum and ribs, the thoracic spine forms part of the thoracic cage.

What is the job of the 12 thoracic vertebrae?

Thoracic (mid back) – the main function of the thoracic spine is to hold the rib cage and protect the heart and lungs. The twelve thoracic vertebrae are numbered T1 to T12. The range of motion in the thoracic spine is limited. Lumbar (low back) – the main function of the lumbar spine is to bear the weight of the body.

What is the hole in the middle of a vertebrae for?

The facet joints link the vertebrae together and give them the flexibility to move against each other. Each vertebra has a hole in the center, so when they stack on top of each other they form a hollow tube that holds and protects the entire spinal cord and its nerve roots.

Which one is the main characteristic of the thoracic vertebrae?

The characteristic feature of thoracic vertebrae is the presence of joints that articulate with ribs. A mid-thoracic vertebra (shown here) has two joint facets on the vertebral body for the heads of adjacent ribs, and a third joint facet on the transverse process for the neck of a rib.

What is the function of the thoracic vertebrae?

How are thoracic vertebrae different from other vertebrae?

The thoracic vertebrae have four features which distinguish them from other vertebrae: Vertebral body is heart shaped. Presence of demi-facets on the sides of each vertebral body – these articulate with the heads of the ribs. Presence of costal facets on the transverse processes – these articulate with the tubercles of the ribs.

What’s the difference between lumbar and cervical vertebrae?

May 17, 2018 Posted by Samanthi. The key difference between cervical thoracic and lumbar vertebrae is their location. Cervical vertebrae are in the neck region while thoracic vertebrae are in the thorax (chest region) and lumbar vertebrae are in the lower back region. There are 7 cervical vertebrae, 12 thoracic vertebrae, and 5 lumbar vertebrae.

Where are the lumbar vertebrae located in the thorax?

Therefore, the main function of the thoracic vertebrae is to protect the internal organs of the thorax including the heart and lungs by holding the rib cage. Lumbar vertebrae are the vertebrae with the largest vertebral body. They occur below the thoracic vertebrae and above the sacrum.

What makes up the middle part of the spine?

Thoracic vertebrae are the vertebrae which make up the middle part of the spine. 12 thoracic vertebrae occur in the human spine. They are named as T1-T12. In contrast to the cervical vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae are larger and stronger. The spinous process of the T1 and T2 vertebrae are long, laterally flattened, and directed inferiorly.