Third Thoracic Vertebra T3, Lateral View

Description

Lateral anatomy of an upper thoracic vertebra is rendered with the vertebral body anteriorly, the vertebral arch and pedicles posterior to it, and the spinous process projecting posteroinferiorly in the typical thoracic pattern. Along the posterolateral margin, the transverse process carries the transverse costal facet for the tubercle of the corresponding rib, while the superior and inferior articular processes stack to form the zygapophysial (facet) joints. A thoracic intervertebral disc sits between adjacent endplates, and the pedicles bridge the body to the posterior elements to define the superior and inferior vertebral notches that contribute to the intervertebral foramen. Pedicle and transverse process geometry is the practical issue in the upper thoracic spine. Pedicle screw fixation at T3 demands attention to the relatively narrow pedicle corridor and its medial relationship to the spinal canal, while the transverse costal facet marks the costotransverse joint and helps orient level identification when ribs obscure the posterior elements. Small errors matter. This lateral perspective also clarifies the posterior tilt of the thoracic spinous processes, a common source of miscounting levels during posterior approaches and fluoroscopic localization. Use this asset for gross anatomy and osteology teaching of the thoracic vertebrae, for spine instrumentation manuals discussing thoracic pedicle screw trajectories, or for radiology and surgery texts correlating lateral radiographs and sagittal CT reconstructions with bony landmarks at T3. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.