Your 12th thoracic vertebra corresponds to the bottom of your rib cage.
There are 12 rib pairs in all, and in back, each attaches to one spinal bone.
The lowest or last ribs connect to T12, which is also the last bone in the thoracic spine.
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The bone below T12 is L1, or your first lumbar (low back) vertebra.
What Causes the Pain
There are a number of possible causes of thoracic spine pain.
But it may also be due to issues in other areas of the body.
And finally, Cook says that yourchoice of sleeping positioncan contribute to thoracic spine pain.
For example, older peoplewho are generally at higher risk anywaysometimes like to sleep in recliners.
But this only increases the types ofpostureproblems that lead to thoracic spine pain, he says.
This is partly due to the fact that fewer research studies are conducted on thoracic spine pain.
Mid-back pain can radiate to the ribs due to aherniated thoracic disc.
This referred pain is able to be felt all around the body and sometimes affect one or both legs.
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