Of all vertebrae, the thoracic vertebrae best resemble the prototype of a vertebra described above. The first thoracic vertebra looks like a cervical vertebra, whilst T11 and T12 share characteristics of a lumbar vertebra.
Mid-thoracically, the spinous processes take up a caudally sloping position and as a result overlap each other like roof tiles; in cervical and lumbar directions they take up a more horizontal position. On both sides (often at the top and bottom) of all thoracic vertebral bodies and on the transverse processes of T1-T10, joint facets are found for the ribs (for the caput and tuberculum, respectively, of the various ribs). T7 often forms the top of the thoracic kyphosis.
