APPLIED RADIOLOGICAL ANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -The spinal canal has less free space for the spinal cord than the cervical and lumbar regions. Posteriorly, the thoracic vertebrae have long, slender spinous processes that point downward and overlap the vertebral arches of the inferior vertebra.

Detailed explanation-2: -Spinous Process The middle four thoracic spines are longer and are inclined downward and backward, so that their spines completely overlap the next lower segments.

Detailed explanation-3: -The upper four thoracic spinous processes project almost directly posteriorly. The next four (T5 through T8) project dramatically inferiorly. The spinous process of T8 is the longest of this group.

Detailed explanation-4: -Thoracic vertebrae have superior articular facets that face in a posterolateral direction. The spinous process is long, relative to other regions, and is directed posteroinferiorly. This projection gradually increases as the column descends before decreasing rapidly from T9-T12.

Detailed explanation-5: -The spinous processes at mid-thorax are long and very steeply inclined: each transverse process is at a level one and a half vertebrae higher than the tip of the corresponding spinous process.