Bone · Thoracic spine

Thoracic spine

Vertebrae thoracicae

The thoracic spine is the twelve vertebrae of the upper and mid back, and it is the only part of the spine that carries ribs — every one of these vertebrae has a pair. That rib attachment, together with the way the facet joints are angled, makes this a region built for stability more than movement: it turns reasonably well and bends backwards very little. The rhomboids, the trapezius and the long erector spinae columns all attach along it.