What is thoracic spinal canal?
The thoracic spine has 12 nerve roots (T1 to T12) on each side of the spine that branch from the spinal cord and control motor and sensory signals mostly for the upper back, chest, and abdomen. The thoracic spine (highlighted) spans the upper and mid-back. It includes twelve vertebrae named T1 through T12.
What is the vertebral canal?
The vertebral canal, otherwise known as the vertebral cavity or spinal cavity, is an anatomical space formed by the vertebral column that stores an integral portion of the central nervous system: the spinal cord and the spinal nerve roots branching off the spinal cord bilaterally.
How many thoracic vertebrae do males have?
12 thoracic
In humans, the vertebral column usually consists of 33 vertebrae, placed in series and connected by ligaments and intervertebral discs. However, the number of vertebrae can vary between 32 and 35. Usually there are 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral and 4 caudal (coccygeal) vertebrae.
How many vertebral canals are there?
There are 31 spinal cord segments: 8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and 1 coccygeal. A spinal nerve pair shares its name with the spinal cord segment it arises from.
Does the thoracic spine have a vertebral canal?
Vertebral Canal. In the thoracic spine, the vertebral foramina are small and circular and this has obvious implications on the spinal cord. The spinal cord in the adult terminates at or around the level of the lower border of the first lumbar vertebra meaning it traverses the entire thoracic spine.
What is the function of thoracic vertebrae?
In addition to providing shock resistance and cushioning, the discs also help bind adjacent vertebrae together. There are 12 thoracic vertebrae (denoted as T1-T12) found in adult humans, and they are situated in between the cervical and lumbar vertebrae, with a general sizing larger than the cervical but smaller than the lumbar vertebrae.
What are the names of the thoracic vertebrae?
Each thoracic vertebra is named for its position within the spine, from the first thoracic vertebra (T1) on the superior end to the twelfth thoracic vertebra (T12) on the inferior end. The spinal column formed by the thoracic vertebrae protrudes posteriorly to form the convex thoracic curve of the spine.
What is the difference between thoracic and cervical vertebrae?
Thoracic Vertebrae Definition The thoracic vertebrae are bones located between the cervical and lumbar vertebrae. There are 12 thoracic vertebrae in humans, and these bones increase in size as you move down the body. They are thicker and larger than the cervical vertebrae but smaller than the lumbar vertebral bones.