T6 or Sixth Thoracic Vertebra, Lateral View

Description

Shown in lateral profile, the sixth thoracic vertebra (T6) is presented with the vertebral body anterior and the vertebral arch and spinous process projecting posteriorly. The pedicle forms the superior and inferior vertebral notches, with the inferior vertebral notch appearing deeper and helping define the intervertebral foramen when paired with the adjacent level. Blue-highlighted superior and inferior articular facets mark the zygapophysial (facet) joints, positioned posterior to the vertebral body and aligned to favor thoracic rotation over flexion and extension. T6 sits near the apex of the thoracic kyphosis, so its body and endplates are frequent reference points when discussing mid-thoracic compression fractures and sagittal balance. The depth of the inferior vertebral notch matters clinically because it frames the space for the segmental spinal nerve at the T6 to T7 level, a region where foraminal narrowing from osteophytes or disc height loss can contribute to thoracic radicular pain that may mimic cardiopulmonary or upper abdominal pathology. Facet orientation and the posterior elements also guide operative planning for pedicle screw trajectories and help explain why thoracic stenosis behaves differently than cervical or lumbar disease. Small margins count. Useful for gross anatomy teaching on the thoracic spine, for spine surgery texts describing posterior approaches to the mid-thoracic column, and for radiology education when correlating oblique radiographs or CT reconstructions with vertebral notch anatomy and foraminal boundaries. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.