Vertebral Body Of The Thoracic Vertebra, Lateral View

Description

Thoracic vertebral body dominates the frame in lateral profile, its cylindrical mass forming the anterior column of the thoracic spine. Superior and inferior endplates cap the body, while the anterior and posterior vertebral body margins arc between them, with the posterior border aligning toward the vertebral canal. Along the posterolateral aspect, a costal facet (demifacet, depending on level) appears as a small, smooth articular surface for the head of a rib, positioned lateral to the vertebral body and just anterior to where the pedicle would project toward the vertebral arch. Rib-bearing anatomy is the focus. Costal facets on thoracic vertebrae matter because they define the costovertebral joints, a frequent source of focal chest wall pain and a common teaching point when differentiating thoracic pain generators from cardiopulmonary causes. Degenerative change at the costovertebral and costotransverse articulations can mimic pleuritic pain, while fractures that compromise the anterior vertebral body, including wedge compression patterns seen in osteoporosis or trauma, alter thoracic kyphosis and narrow disc spaces with predictable biomechanical consequences. A fixed lateral perspective helps you correlate vertebral body shape with endplate integrity and the rib articulation surfaces without the distraction of posterior element overlap. Use this illustration for thoracic spine modules in gross anatomy and musculoskeletal courses, for radiology teaching files that pair lateral vertebral morphology with sagittal CT or MRI concepts, and for clinical texts discussing thoracic compression fractures, costovertebral joint arthropathy, or rib-related pain syndromes in the chest wall. It also fits orthopedic and physiatry publications that need a precise reference for thoracic vertebral body landmarks and rib facet terminology. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.