The thoracic vertebrae are the middle twelve in the |vertebral column|. Most of the thoracic vertebrae feature ~costal~ (relating to the |ribs|) ~facets~ on the body and |transverse processes| of the vertebra, no foramina in the |transverse processes| (as the cervical vertebra have), a |spinous process| which points back and down, and a round vertebral ~foramen~. The body of each thoracic vertebra in the spinal column bears the weight of the |vertebrae| above it (and the |skull|), while the arch serves to create a canal-like area along the |spine| to house and protect the |spinal cord|.
