US Medical Term · anatomy
Thoracic Vertebrae
Vértebras torácicas
Also: Vértebras dorsales (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Thoracic Vertebrae |
| Spanish (Español) | Vértebras torácicas |
| Chinese (中文) | 胸椎 |
| Korean (한국어) | 흉추 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Đốt sống ngực |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Mga buto ng dibdib (thoracic vertebrae) |
| Portuguese (Português) | Vértebras torácicas |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | กระดูกสันหลังส่วนอก |
| Japanese (日本語) | 胸椎 |
What it means
The thoracic vertebrae are the twelve bones in the middle portion of your spine, labeled T1 through T12. They are located in the upper and mid-back region and are unique because each one connects to a pair of ribs, forming the rib cage that protects your heart and lungs. The thoracic spine is less flexible than the cervical and lumbar regions, which makes it more stable but also more prone to certain compression fractures in people with osteoporosis. Pain in the thoracic spine can result from poor posture, muscle strain, or fractures. Conditions like kyphosis (a forward rounding of the upper back) affect this region. Your doctor may order imaging to evaluate thoracic spine problems.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I have pain in my mid-back that my doctor thinks is coming from the thoracic vertebrae.
Tengo dolor en la espalda media que el médico cree que viene de las vértebras torácicas.
The X-ray showed a compression fracture in one of my thoracic vertebrae.
La radiografía mostró una fractura por compresión en una de las vértebras torácicas.
Could my rounded upper back posture be related to the thoracic vertebrae?
¿La postura redondeada de la espalda superior podría estar relacionada con las vértebras torácicas?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026