Pectoral vertebrae and their features. How many thoracic vertebrae in a person? Osteochondrosis of thoracic vertebrae

Everyone knows that the main support axis of the human skeleton is its spine. That is why he is given so much attention - without proper work of this body a person loses the main part of his life.

Anatomy of the human spine

The anatomy of our body tells us that this important supporting element is not as simple as it seems at first glance - it is divided into 5 parts. The column consists of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum and coccyx. Total number of vertebrae in all departments: 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 4-5 coccyx. In addition, several fused bones are sacral.

Evolution has created the human body as it is today: moderately mobile and at the same time capable of unique actions (as described by the Guinness Book of Records). Most of his abilities are due to the spine, as well as to the organs of his surroundings and his supporting ones: ligaments, muscles, intervertebral discs and even the spinal cord inside the pillar.

The "helpers" of the spinal column

Each vertebra, regardless of belonging to this or that department, has a more massive part, located in front, taking all the main burden on itself. This is his body. From it departs the arc, forming together with the body a ring, the brain is located in it. From here come out the vertebral appendages. They perform the connecting function. All together cervical, thoracic, lumbar vertebrae in one column are combined by means of intervertebral discs. In addition, this design is supported by ligaments and muscles. Dimensions of intervertebral discs vary, in an adult can reach 25% of the total length of the spine. In addition, their sizes differ in the departments: in the cervical and lumbar discs are larger, since there it is necessary to provide the greatest mobility.

Anatomy of the structure of the thoracic vertebra

The thoracic vertebrae take on a little more stress than their "brethren", so you can notice a slight difference in their structure. One of them is the more massive body of the vertebra. In addition, the neighbors of these elements are the ribs, hence the difference in anatomy.

Divisions of the thoracic vertebrae are as follows: upper and lower vertebral incisions, upper and lower articular process, transverse process and its costal fossa, vertebral body, upper and lower costal fossa, spinous process, vertebral arc and vertebral foramen.

The appointment of the ribs is the connection of the vertebral body with the ribs. They are located next to the arc. The location of the ribs between the two "neighbors" causes the presence of the upper and lower fossa in the thoracic vertebra, however, they are incomplete (half). Nevertheless, there are exceptions here too: the 1st vertebra has only a full and one lower half fossa for the corresponding 1st and 2nd ribs. And also one half of the fossa is in the 10th vertebra, intended for the corresponding rib, and the 11th and 12th "helper" acquired only a full hole for the corresponding "neighbors".

In particular, the thoracic vertebrae can also be added to the structure of spinous processes. They are longer and are inclined downwards, where, joining, form something similar to the tile. This feature is most easily seen at the level of the 4-10th vertebrae.

What is thoracic kyphosis?

Flexibility of the spine is one of its main abilities, it is acquired in the process of development. There are such concepts as lordosis and kyphosis. Lordosis is the ability of the cervical and lumbar parts to bend forward, and kyphosis is the ability of the thoracic and sacral to bend backward.

It often happens that under the influence of injuries or weakened muscles and ligaments, abnormal posture begins to develop. This in turn leads to a number of diseases.

The anatomical properties of the spine contribute to the fact that the thoracic vertebrae, forming the thoracic kyphosis, can take on a heavy load and amortize it. However, it must be remembered that the displacement of this load in one direction or another can lead to deformation of the body form of the vertebrae or destructively affect the intervertebral area.

Osteochondrosis of thoracic vertebrae

This disease is one of the most common in the thoracic department of the musculoskeletal system. By its nature, it differs somewhat from a similar disease in another department, because, as previously noted, the structure of the vertebrae is somewhat different.

It can be seen that the thoracic vertebrae are less mobile. But the symptoms of osteochondrosis of this department can be distinguished by rather painful sensations, since the spinal cord nerves from this zone innervate the entire humeral girdle and upper limbs. As well as a blow to yourself can take the internal organs of the thoracic and abdominal area. Here, too, is the narrowest spinal canal and the small vertebrae itself, and, therefore, the most favorable conditions for the development of disc herniation.

What are the causes of breast osteochondrosis?

In order to understand what is the cause of the disease, let's pay attention to who is most often exposed to it?

• People with metabolic disorders and obesity.
• Leading sedentary lifestyle.
• Patients with hypertension, diabetes, with thyroid gland pathology.
• People staying for a long time in an uncomfortable position.
• Patients with osteochondrosis of the cervical department.
• Patients with scoliosis or excessive kyphosis.

Signs of breast osteochondrosis

The disease is characterized by a wide variety of symptoms. Probably, how many thoracic vertebrae in a person, so many manifestations of osteochondrosis. This diversity is determined by a large zone of innervation originating from the thoracic part of the spinal cord. Very often, infringement or inflammation of the radicular nerves occurs. This process is accompanied by a pain syndrome of varying intensity and localization. However, it can even lead to violations of the functions of internal organs.

Symptoms of the fact that the vertebrae of the thoracic are affected by osteochondrosis are as follows:

• Backache.
• Tinea pain in the chest with more intensity on inspiration.
• Numbness, "creepy" in the chest.
• Heartache.
• Abdominal pain.
• Pain and decreased muscle activity in the upper limbs.
• Disorder of the internal organs due to innervation.

Displacement of thoracic vertebrae

Under the literary medical diagnosis of "subluxation of the vertebrae," all the known displacement of the thoracic vertebrae hid. Symptoms of it are very similar to osteochondrosis. This outcome is preceded by a change in the location of the vertebra or damage to the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc, which leads to a narrowing of the entire canal, clamping of nerve fibers and blood vessels, and as a result of pain syndrome and edema.

The difference between subluxation and dislocation lies in the fact that even the surfaces of the joint articulation move, they continue to touch.

Since the vertebrae of the thoracic are less subject to stress than others and less involved in motor activity, displacement in the thoracic region is a rare occurrence. More often such pathology occurs in the neck part. Nevertheless, if the bias does occur, complications are more dangerous here. This can lead to impaired blood flow or circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid. Given how many thoracic vertebrae, To the consequences of subluxation can also be attributed:

• Difficulty breathing or asthma (subluxation of the 1st thoracic vertebra).
• Violation of the heart (subluxation of the 2nd thoracic vertebra).
• Broncho-pulmonary malaise (subluxation of the 3rd thoracic vertebra).
• Pancreatitis and other diseases of the biliary tract (subluxation of the 4th vertebra).
• Arthritis (displacement of the 5th thoracic vertebra).
• Stomach ulcer, gastritis (6-7 vertebra).
• Decreased immunity (8 vertebra).
• Impaired renal function (displacement of the 9th vertebra).
• Intestinal disorders, impaired vision, heart problems (10th vertebra).
• Skin diseases (subluxation of the 11th vertebra).
• Rheumatism and even infertility as a result of displacement of the 12th vertebra.

Symptoms include the following manifestations:

• The pain between the shoulder blades, sharp then pulling, which is noticeably aggravated during the movement of the torso.
• Limited mobility of one or both hands.
• Weakness.
• Tension of muscles.

Fractures of the thoracic spine

One of the most difficult diseases of the spine is a fracture. And the thoracic region is no exception. Localization among the fractures in this department is distinguished by fractures of the 5.6.7th thoracic vertebrae, 9th-12th, transverse and spinous processes.

Due to the appearance of several types are distinguished. This post-traumatic fracture of the thoracic vertebrae (the consequences of severe accidents or sports injuries), with the fall of gravity on the shoulders of the injured person, when falling from a height; Paratroopers and paratroopers as a result of labor activity. Fractures against metastases in the spine or osteoporosis are less common, but they also occur.

By the nature of the damage, it is noticed that more often fractures of the thoracic vertebrae are not accompanied by a displacement and are very rarely accompanied by a lesion of the spinal cord.

Our spine is our support in the literal and figurative sense, a person's life changes radically, if a moment comes when we lose it. That is why it is so important to know more about this body and take better care of its health.