There are 12 thoracic vertebrae
The thoracic vertebrae are the 12 vertebrae of the chest, below the neck and above the lower back, numbered T1 to T12 from the top. A rib joins each one on either side, so the 12 thoracic vertebrae pair up with the 12 pairs of ribs. Being joined to the ribs, this part of the spine moves less than the neck and the lower back.
Frequently asked questions
Where is T12?
At the bottom of the thoracic spine, just above the first lumbar vertebra. The last rib, the 12th, joins it.
How do the ribs join the thoracic vertebrae?
The head of each rib meets the side of the vertebral bodies, and the tubercle of the rib meets the transverse process (except in ribs 11 and 12). The 1st rib pairs with T1 and the 12th with T12.
Is the thoracic group the largest part of the spine?
Yes. Of the 24 movable vertebrae, 12 are thoracic, more than the 7 cervical and 5 lumbar.
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