![]() Posterior to the pedicles are the transverse processes that extend laterally from the vertebral arch. Each pedicle contains a smooth, oval-shaped articular facet that forms a joint with the 12th pair of ribs. ![]() A pair of strong pedicles extends posteriorly from the vertebral body to begin the arch. The vertebral arch of T12 is thicker and stronger than its counterparts in the other thoracic vertebrae and in many ways resembles the vertebral arches of the lumbar vertebrae. Each rubbery intervertebral disk provides a slightly flexible connection between the vertebral bodies and acts as a shock absorber to prevent collisions between the vertebrae. A pair of intervertebral disks made of tough fibrocartilage connects the vertebral body of T12 to those of its neighboring vertebrae. Most of the osseous tissue of T12 is contained within the centrum, which serves to support the body’s weight. It is flat on top and bottom, convex anteriorly, and slightly concave posteriorly. The vertebral body is larger and wider in T12 than in the other thoracic vertebrae and more closely resembles the vertebral bodies of the lumbar vertebrae. Its structure is similar to the other thoracic vertebrae, with a large column of bone known as the centrum (or vertebral body) forming its anterior structure and a thin ring of bone known as the vertebral arch forming its posterior structure. The T12 vertebra is located in the spinal column of the thoracic (or trunk) region inferior to the T11 vertebra and superior to the first lumbar (L1) vertebra. In many ways, the T12 is a hybrid vertebra with the anatomical features of both a thoracic and lumbar vertebra. T12 bears the most weight of any thoracic vertebra, making it the strongest thoracic vertebra, but also the most susceptible to stress-related injuries. ![]() The twelfth thoracic vertebra (or the T12 vertebra) is the largest and most inferior of the thoracic vertebrae. ![]()
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