Medically reviewed by Jennifer Steinhoff, MD Key Takeaways The thoracic spine is made up of 12 bones that attach to your ribs and support your rib cage.Excessive curvature in the thoracic spine, ...

The human body is often described as a marvel of “perfect design”: elegant, efficient and finely tuned for its purpose. Yet, ...

A vertebral compression fracture (VCF) is a break in an individual bone, or vertebra, of the spine that causes the vertebra to collapse. A lumbar VCF affects the lower spine. When a VCF occurs, the ...

Block vertebrae is when two or more vertebrae are fused. It’s present from birth and can cause pain and reduced range of motion. Treatment may include medications, physical therapy, or surgery. Your ...

Compression fracture treatments can be surgical or nonsurgical, depending on the severity of the injury. A compression fracture typically occurs in the vertebrae (bones of the spine) and can reduce ...

Basilar invagination is when the top of your spine gets pushed into the base of your skull. It leads to pinching or pressure on the brain stem, which is a bundle of nerves connecting the brain to the ...