thoracic vertebra(e)
Anatomical term for the vertebrae of the upper and middle back, between the cervical and lumbar vertebrae.
The thoracic vertebrae consist of 12 bones.
Fractures of the thoracic vertebrae are common in the elderly.
腰椎 are the lumbar vertebrae (lower back), located below the thoracic vertebrae.
From 胸 (kyō, 'chest') + 椎 (tsui, 'vertebra'), a straightforward kanji compound.