Tenth thoracic vertebra

Looks like

A lower-chest vertebra (T10), level with the gullet's passage through the diaphragm.

What it does

Supports the trunk and protects the cord; the T10 nerve supplies skin at the navel.

Keeping it well

Mainly a landmark: the navel dermatome (T10) helps localise spinal cord or nerve problems.

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