Thoracic and Lumbosacral Spine Anatomy

Abstract

We review anatomy of the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spine. Knowledge of normal anatomy is vital when reviewing imaging of the spine because it allows for the detection of abnormal findings. We emphasize the normal appearance of the thoracic and lumbosacral spine on imaging, focusing on the most common imaging techniques of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, as well as highlighting a few less common and emerging imaging techniques that can evaluate the spine.

Keywords: Advanced spine imaging; Bone marrow; Intervertebral disc; Morphometry; Spine metabolic imaging; Thoracic and lumbar spine anatomy; Transitional and variant anatomy.