T12 vertebra
Last reviewed 01/2018
The twelfth thoracic vertebra is an atypical thoracic vertebrae in that:
- body has a single, oval costal facet sited more posteroinferiorly to those above, at the lateral junction of pedicle with body
- inferior articular process:
- articulating surface is convex
- plane of surface still predominantly lies anteriorly, but is tilted more laterally
- transverse process is replaced by:
- lateral tubercle projecting posteroinferiorly; equivalent to transverse process of superior vertebrae
- superior tubercle projecting posterosuperiorly; equivalent to mamillary process of lumbar vertebrae
- inferior tubercle projecting posteroinferiorly; equivalent to accessory process of lumbar vertebrae