Thoracic spine
Also called: T-spine, thoracic vertebrae, mid back spine
What it means
The thoracic spine is the middle part of your backbone, made of twelve vertebrae (T1-T12) that connect to your ribs.
This area is a common spot for compression fractures in osteoporosis, which can cause a stooped posture and height loss.
The thoracic spine is the middle section of your backbone, running from the base of your neck down to where your lower back begins. It has twelve vertebrae, labeled T1 through T12, and each one connects to a pair of ribs. This rib connection makes the thoracic spine sturdier and less flexible than the neck or lower back.
As we age, the thoracic spine is a common site for vertebral compression fractures, especially in people with osteoporosis. A weakened vertebral body can collapse under normal pressure, sometimes from something as simple as bending or coughing. This can lead to a rounded upper back posture called kyphosis, along with height loss over time.
Keeping this part of the spine healthy involves supporting overall bone density and practicing good posture habits. Back extensor strengthening and avoiding excessive spinal flexion are often discussed with physical therapists for people with low bone density, since certain movements may raise the risk of compression fractures in a fragile thoracic spine.
The thoracic spine's twelve vertebrae are a common site for compression fractures that can cause stooped posture and height loss.
Where this leads
WordThe thoracic spine is a common spot for these fractures. Curious what actually happens when a weakened spinal bone collapses or flattens?
Related words
A vertebra is one of the 24 small bones stacked together to form the spine, each made of a thick front body and bony…
A vertebral body is the solid, round block of bone that forms the front, weight-bearing part of each bone in your spine.
Kyphosis is an excessive forward curve of the upper back, often called a dowager's hump, which in bone-health terms…
A vertebral compression fracture is when a bone in the spine collapses or flattens, often because the bone is…
The lumbar spine is the lower part of your backbone, made up of five vertebrae (L1-L5) between your ribs and pelvis.…
The spine, or backbone, is the column of small bones (vertebrae) running down your back that supports your body and…
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