The spine is the basis of the human musculoskeletal system. The spine is S-shaped, which provides its flexibility and elasticity, as well as facilitates any shaking manifested when running, walking and many other physical activities. The vertebral column enables a person to walk directly, to maintain an even posture, while maintaining balance in the body. And the thoracic vertebra is one of the main components of the ridge.
How is the spine
The spine consists of small bones called vertebrae. Their total number is 24 pieces, one after the other linked in a perpendicular position. Vertebrae are divided into different groups: 7 cervical, 12 thoracic and 5 lumbar. In the lower region of the spine, behind the lumbar region, there is a sacrum containing 5 vertebrae connected in a single bone. Just below the sacral part there is a coccyx, at the base of which there are also fused vertebrae.
Description
The vertebral body has a cylindrical shape and is considered the strongest place on which a significant supporting load falls. Behind the body there is a vertebral arch, having the shape of a half ring with processes extending from it. The vertebral arch, as well as its body, create a spinal passage. The total number of holes in all vertebrae that lie exactly one above the other forms the spinal canal. It is intended for the maintenance of blood vessels, spinal cord and nerve roots.
Nodules are still involved in the formation of the spinal canal, among which the most important are the ligaments: posterior longitudinal and yellow. The last lobar node tightens the vertebral bodies from the back, and yellow connects their nearby folds. The vertebral arch has 7 processes, of which the lower and upper articular are involved in the production of facet joints, and the transverse and spinous branches hold the ligaments and muscles.
Vertebrae of the thoracic spine - These are spongy bones, they have matter inside, covered externally with a solid cortical plaque. The spongy substance has bony bars and formed cavities that contain red bone marrow.
Intervertebral disc
It is located between two adjacent vertebrae and has the appearance of a rounded, even laying. In the middle of the intervertebral disc there is a pulpous nucleus, which has good elasticity and performs the function of absorbing the vertical load. This core is covered by a multilayer fibrous circle, fixing it in a central position, as well as preventing the vertebrae from being displaced in direction relative to each other. The fibrous circle consists of a considerable number of strong fibers and interlayers that cross in three surfaces.
Facet joints
From the spine plate come articular facets (branches), which are involved in the production of facet joints. Cervical and thoracic vertebrae connected by two complex joints located on both walls of the arch symmetrically to the center line of the trunk. The intervertebral processes of the adjacent vertebrae are directed towards each other. Their ends are covered with smooth articular cartilage, due to which friction between the bones that form the joint is reduced to a greater extent.
Foraminal holes
In the lateral parts of the spinal column there are foraminal gaps formed by articular branches, bodies and legs of two nearby vertebrae. For these openings, there are places where veins exit the spinal canal and nerve roots. Arteries, on the contrary, pass into the spinal duct, supplying blood to the nerve roots.
Paravertebral muscles
They are placed near the spine. Their main significance is the maintenance of the spine, and it is also possible to produce various body movements to the person with the help of turns and inclinations.
Thoracic vertebra: its functions
The value of the spinal column is difficult to overestimate, because it performs some important functions:
- protective (preservation of the spinal cord);
- motor (movement of the head and body);
- supporting.
Cervical spine
There are 7 vertebrae in this area. A characteristic feature of this part is its mobility. The first vertebrae here are the axis and atlas, which differ from others in a peculiar structure. In the anterior section of the axis is a bone growth called a tooth. Atlas does not provide for the existence of a vertebral body. The structure contains 2 arches, where the first is the front, and the second is the back. The side post makes it possible to combine them with each other. Due to the light load, the cervical vertebrae are small in size.
The importance of the neck for the human body
The cervical spine promotes the functioning of most parts of the body, which cannot be said about the human thoracic vertebrae. These include:
- facial nerves;
- eyes, nose and lips;
- elbows
- thyroid;
- pituitary.
Diseases associated with disorders of the cervical vertebrae
The list of possible ailments is as follows:
- goiter, acute respiratory infections;
- sinusitis, eczema;
- joint and shoulder muscle pain;
- laryngitis, tonsillitis;
- decreased vision, hearing loss;
- headaches, runny nose, memory impairment.
High injury risk factors
The neck area is considered the most sensitive to all kinds of bruises in comparison with the spine. There are explanations for this:
- small size;
- muscle corset, which is weakened in the cervical part;
- small mechanical hardness of the vertebrae for this area.
Thoracic spine
There are 12 vertebrae available, with ribs attached to their bodies. The chest is formed by the vertebrae and ribs connecting the sternum. Only 10 pairs of ribs are attached to the bone itself, while others remain free.
If a noticeable load on the spine increases, then the vertebral bodies increase in size. There is also the existence of additional costal fossae. Often in one vertebra there are two half-holes, one of which is upper, and the second is lower.
Thoracic vertebra: main features
A characteristic feature of the spine is that it is inactive. The loads on it are practically negligible. However, the thoracic region acts as the main support for the chest. Normally, this part of the back should be similar to the letter “C”, with the roundness directed back. The intervertebral discs present here are characterized by a small height. This is the reason for reducing the agility of such a place. In addition, elongated and spinous processes of the spine contribute to the concentration of mobility of the discs. It has the shape of tiles.
Thoracic diseases
This department has a spinal canal, which is very narrow. The culprits of the occurrence of compression of the vertebrae can be huge formations. These include:
- hernias;
- various tumors;
- osteophytes.
If a ridge injury occurs
Fracture of the vertebrae of the thoracic region is damage that violates the anatomical integrity of the spine, accompanied by pain that has concentrated on the injured site, and deformation of the spinal ridge in the wound area. In addition, there is swelling of the soft tissues and a disorder in the corresponding functioning of the pelvic organs and limbs. One of these fractures may be compression.
What it is
Compression fracture of the thoracic vertebra means compressed. Therefore, such an injury is the result of compression of the spine, after which the vertebrae crack, decay and flatten. Most often, the middle and lower parts of the lower back, as well as the thoracic region, are affected.
If a person falls from a height or bends sharply, the spinal column bends in an arc, which leads to a rapid reduction in muscle mass and significantly increases pressure on the anterior region of the spine.
But nevertheless, the middle load is felt by the middle zone of the chest section. As a result of exceeding the measure of physiological elasticity of the spine, a wedge-shaped compression appears, and as a consequence - a fracture of the thoracic vertebra.
Stage of spinal injury
Compression fracture can be divided into three degrees of complexity, due to the size of the deformation of the vertebral body. If the vertebral column is affected at the 1st stage, then the length of the trunk of its vertebra is reduced by 1/3, at the 2nd indicator - by 1/2, and already at the 3rd indicator there is more than half reduction.
Typically, damage to the 1st category is considered permanent, and the 2nd and 3rd are unstable, which are characterized by pathological agility of the vertebrae. Damage can be either single or multiple. Most often they are in the area of the middle chest.
What are the causes of spinal fractures
The vertebrae of the thoracic region have good hardness and can withstand significant mechanical stress. The destruction of their integrity occurs due to certain factors:
- a large amount of stress in young people;
- osteoporosis of bones (a decrease in bone density due to a lack of calcium salts in their structure);
- the presence of tuberculosis or metastatic adenoma, leading to the collapse of the vertebral body;
- calcium deficiency in the body (in children).
Typical features of a fracture of the spinal column
There are individual indicators for compression trauma to the chest:
- pain when loading on the spine;
- difficulty breathing while receiving damage;
- minor soreness and tension of the back muscles in the fracture zone.
Vertebral injuries often become the culprits of radiating pain in the abdomen. Symptoms of paralysis and disorders of healthy functioning of the pelvis are detected quite rarely, only after damage to the chest area or if there is spondylolisthesis (displacement of the thoracic vertebrae).
In the case of a fracture of the cervical vertebrae , an unusual position of the head is observed, as well as the localization of its inclinations, movements, tension of the cervical muscles. Approximately every third compression damage to the spine is accompanied by excitation of the nerve roots of the spinal cord and its integument.
That's why it is necessary to protect your spine from all kinds of fractures and sudden movements so as not to injure the thoracic vertebra.