What distinguishes thoracic vertebrae from other vertebrae?

What distinguishes thoracic vertebrae from other vertebrae?

Distinguishing features of the thoracic vertebrae include the presence of facets on the sides of the bodies for articulation with the heads of the ribs, and facets on the transverse processes of all, except the 11th and 12th vertebrae, for articulation with the tubercles of the ribs.

How can you tell the difference between vertebrae?

Each of the three segments of the spine has a curve. The cervical spine and the lumbar curve both are convex anteriorly, while the thoracic spine curves the opposite way, convex posteriorly. Each vertebra is shaped a bit like a wedge to support these curves, especially noticeable with the five lumbar vertebrae.

How do you identify a thoracic vertebrae?

Thoracic vertebrae have bodies of intermediate size. They are distinguished by their long, slender spines and by the presence of facets on the sides of the bodies articulating with the heads of the ribs and by facets on the transverse processes articulating with the tubercles of ribs.

What are three features of an average lumbar vertebrae that would allow you to distinguish them from other vertebrae?

Distinguishing features of the lumbar vertebrae include a thick and stout vertebral body, a blunt, quadrilateral spinous process for the attachment of strong lumbar muscles, and articular processes that are oriented differently than those found on the other vertebrae.

What is unique about lumbar vertebrae?

Typical lumbar vertebrae have several features distinct from those typical of cervical or thoracic vertebrae. The most notable distinction is the presence of a large vertebral body. The spinous process is short and thick, relative to the size of the vertebra, and projects perpendicularly from the body.

How do you identify the thoracic vertebrae?

Is cervical and lumbar the same?

A cervical disc is an intervertebral disc in your cervical spine (neck) and the lumbar disc is the intervertebral disc in your lumbar region (lower back).

What is the lumbar vertebrae?

The lumbar spine contains 5 vertebrae, labeled L1 to L5, which progressively increase in size going down the lower back. The vertebrae are connected with joints at the back to enable bending and twisting movements of the spine.

Which is the best distinguishing feature of thoracic vertebrae?

What are the characteristics of the thoracic vertebrae?

The primary characteristic of the thoracic vertebrae is the presence of costal facets. There are six facets per thoracic vertebrae: two on the transverse processes and four demifacets—the facets of the transverse processes articulate with the tubercle of the associated rib.