Spinous Process of Third Thoracic Vertebra

Description

The spinous process is the single, posteriorly projecting process located at the posterior part of the vertebral arch of a thoracic vertebra. It extends from the junction between the two laminae, which itself is found at the midline.

Overall, the spinous processes of thoracic vertebrae are generally long, thin, and tapered. They are obliquely oriented in the posteroinferior direction, resulting in adjacent spinous processes overlapping each other. They provide attachment sites for both intrinsic and extrinsic back muscles, thoracolumbar fascia, and the supraspinous and interspinous ligaments.