Anatom3DIntervertebral disk of fourth thoracic vertebra
Discus intervertebralis T IV–T V · Meziobratlová ploténka Th4–Th5
Joints & cartilage
Looks like
The pad between T4 and T5: a thin disc, braced at the sides by the rib joints. A tough fibre ring surrounds a soft gel core.
What it does
Joins the two vertebrae, absorbs shock and lets this level bend and twist a little.
Keeping it well
Thoracic disc ruptures are rare because the ribs brace this part; when one presses on the spinal cord it causes leg weakness and needs urgent MRI.
Related conditions
- Axial spondyloarthritis
- Bone metastases and spinal cord compression
- Gout
- Haemophilia & bleeding disorders
- Lyme disease
- Marfan syndrome & connective tissue disorders
- Osteoarthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Rheumatic fever & rheumatic heart disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Scoliosis
- Spina bifida & neural tube defects
- Spinal cord injury
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Temporomandibular joint disorder