BoneIrregular bone
Thoracic vertebra T5
Vertebra thoracica V
- Location:
- Upper back — thoracic spine
Function
Midway of the thoracic kyphosis, T5 shares the mechanical load of the curved, rib-braced thoracic cage that protects the heart and great vessels.
Landmarks
- Costal facets
- Demifacets
- Spinous process
Articulations (joints)
- T4 above
- T6 below
- Fifth rib
Clinical relevance
Metastatic breast and lung cancers favour the thoracic spine; T5 is within the commonest involved zone, and collapse here threatens the cord.
Educational anatomy reference, not medical advice. About this content.