[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Spine](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/spine/) › T5–T6 disc [Joints and ligaments](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/joints-and-ligaments/) · [Spine](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/spine/) # T5–T6 disc The T5-T6 disc is the thin cushion between the T5 and T6 vertebrae in the mid-back; it allows the small movement the [ribs](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ribs/) permit. Official name: T5-T6 [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=spine&select=disc_t5_t6&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is The cushion between T5 and T6: a tough outer ring of fibres (annulus fibrosus) around a soft centre. ## What it does Absorbs load and allows the small amount of movement the rib cage permits. ## Key points - Centre of the mid-thoracic vascular watershed: the cord here relies on a thin [anterior spinal artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/anterior-spinal-artery/) with few feeders, so modest compression or a drop in blood flow can cause myelopathy - A central thoracic disc is not removed through a laminectomy alone: reaching it from behind would mean retracting the cord, which historically caused paralysis ## Key facts **Where** Between T5 and T6 bodies; thin thoracic disc; head of rib 6 joins it **Attaches** Annulus fibrosus anchored to the [endplates](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vertebral-endplates/) and ring apophyses of T5 and T6; anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments **Function** Absorbs and spreads load; herniation rare, often central onto the cord; lateral herniation may irritate the T5 root ## Relations **In front** [Thoracic aorta](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/thoracic-aorta/) on the left front of the bodies, [esophagus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/esophagus-abdominal-part/) in the midline, the [azygos veins](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/azygos-vein/) on the right, and the [thoracic duct](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/thoracic-duct/) between the aorta and the azygos vein **Lateral** Head of rib 6 on the disc and its costovertebral joint; the [sympathetic trunk](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sympathetic-trunk/) on the rib heads, giving the first roots of the greater splanchnic nerve (from about T5) **Behind** [Posterior longitudinal ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/posterior-longitudinal-ligament/), a thin epidural space and the [spinal cord](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/spinal-cord/) ## How to find it It has no landmark of its own: it is found by counting up from the inferior angle of the [scapula](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/scapula/) (about T7) or down from C7. From behind it lies roughly level with the tip of the T5 spinous process. ## On imaging When MRI cannot be done, CT myelography shows a mid-thoracic disc as a dent in the contrast column in front of the cord; plain CT adds whether the disc is calcified, which shapes the choice of route. ## Common problems - Thoracic disc herniations are uncommon; many are found by chance on MRI and cause no symptoms. - A large one can press on the spinal cord, or cause band-like pain around the [chest](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/chest/). ## How it is diagnosed MRI; CT shows whether the herniation is calcified (hardened), which matters for surgery. ## Treatment - Usually physical therapy and pain medicine; surgery only if the spinal cord is pressed. ## Clinical notes - Routes go around the side of the cord: posterolateral (transpedicular, costotransversectomy), retropleural or thoracoscopic, chosen by whether the disc is central, lateral or calcified - Thoracic disc herniations are often found on MRI in people with no symptoms; one is blamed only when its level fits the band of pain or the cord signs ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Why can modest compression at the T5–T6 disc cause myelopathy? It is the centre of the mid-thoracic vascular watershed: the cord relies on a thin anterior spinal artery with few feeders. ## Why is a central disc herniation at T5–T6 not removed through a laminectomy alone? Reaching it from behind would mean retracting the spinal cord, which historically caused paralysis; routes go around the side of the cord. ## Which nerve takes its first roots from the sympathetic trunk at about the level of the T5–T6 disc? The greater splanchnic nerve, from about T5. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/t5-t6/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** discus intervertebralis T5-T6 TA2 1684 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Disco T5-T6 DeCS D007403 **English (TA2)** T5-T6 **Also called** fibrous ring · fibrocartilago intervertebralis ## Related - [T5–T6 nucleus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/t5-t6-spine-and-pelvis/) - [T5 vertebra](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/t5/) - [T6 vertebra](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/t6/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=7567); [Anatomy, Back, Intervertebral Discs](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470583/); [7.3 The Vertebral Column](https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/pages/7-3-the-vertebral-column) (OpenStax (Rice University), 2022) · adapted, [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/t5-t6/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/t5-t6/