Thoracic vertebra T4

Function

T4 is the navigational crossroads of the trunk: its plane passes through the sternal angle, the aortic arch's beginning and end, and the tracheal bifurcation.

Landmarks

• Costal facets
• Demifacets
• Spinous process at the level of the sternal angle

Articulations (joints)

• T3 above
• T5 below
• Fourth rib

Clinical relevance

The T4 syndrome of manual medicine refers to pain patterns referred from the upper thoracic segments; aortic dissection pain often radiates at this dermatomal band.