In the human body, the thoracic structure has 12 bones together with other processes that join it to the ribs that are tactically positioned to avoid flexion (Romer and Parsons 161). In other versions; the thoracic vertebrae are also known as dorsal vertebrae. Most of the bodies forming thoracic vertebrae are heart-shaped and the rest are circular. Most of the references refer to the column as thoracolumbar since it is attached to lumbar vertebrae. Cervical bones, which are normally seven in number, are undersized and flimsy. Biologically, the bones are named from the top to the bottom as C1-C7 (Romer and Parsons 161). There are bones attached to the cervical vertebrae that allow the neck and head to move up and down and turn left to right. The whole column connected to the thoracic forms the cervicothoracic. Several abnormalities are associated with the cervical and thoracic vertebrae. A major abnormality related to the spinal cord graduates to a major malfunction referred to as Spina Bifida.
Another abnormality associated with cervical and thoracic vertebrae is Kyphosis, which is a large curvature on the posterior side of the thoracic column (Medifocus Health 1). The condition causes the humpback that leads to osteoporosis. The most common abnormality is Scoliosis, which is a lateral curvature that is very common among patients with thoracic abnormalities. Scoliosis sometimes results in disproportionate growth of some of the spinal columns and it highly affects women. It is assumed to originate from total or partial puncturing of lobes of the lungs; sometimes generated by ailments such as asthma or pneumothorax conditions (Medifocus Health 1).
Most of the abnormalities occur during the developmental stages of the fetus and thus there is nothing much that can be done to prevent or correct such conditions. Most of the deformities are grouped under the large bracket of congenital spinal deformities. As the child grows with congenial malfunctions of the spine, it contributes to the exaggerated condition of scoliosis. However, the condition can be managed using closer observation of the growing fetus. With a close check of the developing fetus, some abnormalities in the development of cervical vertebrae can be detected as early as the second week of conception; hence, doctors can alert the pregnant mother on how to take care of the unborn child (Letts 1). Expectant mothers can undergo an examination to determine the posture of the fetus, which can be corrected in the initial stages of growth.
In addition, some of the abnormalities of cervical and thoracic vertebrae could be caused by arthritis. Arthritis could be a result of the post-trauma conditions and physiological breakdown brought about by trauma (Letts 1). Some of the instabilities of the upper cervical could be indicated by the unsteadiness on the radiographs, which are used to translate C1 and C2 in adults. Clinically, abnormalities of the cervical column can be analyzed using a purse test since it gives the pathologists the pathomechanics of the condition. Using the symmetry of the body is probably the best method to be used as a stepping stone; since it can be used to analyze any abnormalities (Letts 1).
Lastly, some of the anomalies of the C/Sp, especially at the developmental stages, are caused by environmental factors such as drugs metabolism, irradiation, or infections. Avoiding or correcting such abnormalities could be done through circumventing unfavorable conditions especially during developmental stages of pregnancy (Letts 1). All the articles used in this paper consider the abnormalities as genetically instigated. Even though most of the cases are not very common among patients, there are quite a several cases of these abnormalities in the world.
Works Cited
Letts, Robert M. Types Of Congenital Spinal Deformities. n.p, 2009. Web.
Medifocus Health. Types of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Medifocus Health, 2011. Web.
Romer, Alfred Sherwood and Thomas S. Parsons. The Vertebrate Body. Philadelphia, PA: Holt-Saunders International, 2009. Print.