What are the names of the 12 thoracic vertebrae?
Michael Henderson
Published Feb 17, 2026
What are the names of the 12 thoracic vertebrae?
Vertebral Column
| Term | # of Vertebrae | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|
| Thoracic | 12 | T1 – T12 |
| Lumbar | 5 or 6 | L1 – L5 |
| Sacrum | 5 (fused) | S1 – S5 |
| Coccyx | 3 | None |
Where is T7 and T8 in the spine?
The T7 vertebra is located in the middle of the thoracic spinal column inferior to the T6 vertebra and superior to the T8 vertebra.
What is a thoracic vertebrae?
Thoracic vertebrae are the twelve vertebral segments (T1-T12) that make up the thoracic spine. These structures have very little motion because they are firmly attached to the ribs and sternum (breastbone).
What are the 4 functions of the vertebral column?
The vertebral column provides attachments to muscles, supports the trunk, protects the spinal cord and nerve roots and serves as a site for haemopoiesis.
What are the 3 types of vertebrae?
The vertebrae are divided into three groups. There are seven cervical vertebrae (names C1 through C7), twelve thoracic vertebrae (named T1 through T12), and five lumbar vertebrae (named L1 through L5).
How are the thoracic vertebrae 11 and 12 difference?
The eleventh thoracic vertebra (T-11) has an intact, superiorly placed costal facet on each side of the vertebral body, but no costal articulation on the transverse processes. The twelfth thoracic vertebra (T-12) resembles T-11, but the inferior articular facets assume the lumbar pattern.
What nerves are affected by T8?
The thoracic spinal nerve 8 (T8) is a spinal nerve of the thoracic segment. It originates from the spinal column from below the thoracic vertebra 8 (T8)….Thoracic spinal nerve 8.
| Thoracic spinal nerve | |
|---|---|
| The spinal cord with spinal nerves. | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | Nervi spinalis |
What does T8 nerve control?
T1-T8 Differences Defined However, the nerves of each thoracic vertebra level communicate with different sections of the body. The T1-T4 thoracic sections control primarily chest muscles and organs, such as the heart and lungs. The T5 – T8 vertebrae affect the abdominal muscles, as well as some of the chest.
Where is the 11th thoracic vertebra?
The eleventh thoracic vertebra (T11) is located near the bottom of the thoracic spine. Generally, the spinal bones are larger and heavier the further down they are located. This helps each vertebra to support the weight of the vertebrae above it, as well as the weight of the skull and brain.
What are the 5 types of vertebrae?
As mentioned above, our vertebrae are numbered and divided into five regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, and coccyx.
What are 3 functions of the vertebral column?
The three main functions of the spine are to:
- Protect the spinal cord, nerve roots and several of the body’s internal organs.
- Provide structural support and balance to maintain an upright posture.
- Enable flexible motion.
What are the 3 functions of the spinal cord?
What does the spinal cord do?
- Motor Functions – directs your body’s voluntary muscle movements.
- Sensory Functions – monitors sensation of touch, pressure, temperature and pain.
- Autonomic Functions – regulates digestion, urination, body temperature, heart rate, and dilation/contraction of blood vessels (blood pressure).
