Ninth thoracic vertebra

Looks like

A lower-chest vertebra (T9) with small joint surfaces for the heads of the ninth ribs.

What it does

Supports the trunk and protects the cord.

Keeping it well

Spinal tuberculosis and cancer spread favour the thoracic spine; persistent night pain with fever or weight loss needs a scan.

Related conditions

• Acromegaly
• Fractures
• Fragility fracture
• Frailty & falls in older age
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease)
• Osteomalacia & rickets
• Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
• Osteoporosis
• Paget's disease of bone
• Sarcoma
• Vitamin B1, C and other deficiencies
• Vitamin D deficiency