Thoracic Vertebrae

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One thing you will notice is that the cranial and caudal articular processes (F&G, respectively) in the thoracic vertebrae are more like articular surfaces on the vertebral arch than processes. However, the cranial articular surface still faces dorsally and the caudal articular surface still faces ventrally. We have also added the articular surfaces of the ribs to each vertebra, the cranial and caudal costal fovea (H&I, respectively). Get used to the term "costal" as it is used in reference to the ribs. This is not to be confused with "coastal," which is in reference to the ocean.    

This is a view of the cranial aspect of a thoracic vertebra.

A. Vertebral canal;    B. Transverse process;

C. Dorsal spinous process;       D. Vertebral arch;    E. Body;   

F. Cranial articular process;    H. Cranial costal fovea.

This is a left lateral view of a thoracic vertebra. Remember that the dorsal spinous processes change direction caudal to the anticlinal vertebra (T11). This vertebra is cranial to T11.

B. Transverse process;    C. Dorsal spinous process;

E. Body;        H. Cranial costal fovea;    I. Caudal costal fovea.

Note that the cranial and caudal costal fovea are named in relation to where they are on the vertebra and not how they articulate with the head of the rib.

You guessed it - we are now looking at the caudal aspect of a thoracic vertebra.

A. Vertebral canal;    B. Transverse process;

C. Dorsal spinous process;       D. Vertebral arch;    E. Body;   

G. Caudal articular process;    I. Caudal costal fovea.

Yes, I know that this is a rib and not a vertebra, but I had to put a rib in here somewhere. I will not ask you to identify the rib number and whether it is a right or left rib, UNLESS it is on an articulated skeleton.

J. Head;    K. Tuberculum.

The tuberculum (or tubercle) of the rib articulates with a fovea on the transverse process of the vertebra.