The thoracic vertebrae form the thoracic spine, a slightly dorsoconvex bony rod, characterized by its limited flexibility. The main differences between other vertebrae (cervical and lumbar) are:
Articulations with the ribs that correspond in number
Short bodies with flattened extremities
Short articular processes
Vertebral arches closely fitting (no real interarcual spaces)
Long spinous process
Costal facets on the transverse processes and cranial and caudal costal fovea on the extremities of the vertebral bodies
Text by Antoine Micheau, MD - Copyright IMAIOS Veterinary Anatomy of Domestic Mammals: Textbook and Colour Atlas, Sixth Edition - Horst Erich König, Hans-Georg Liebich - Schattauer - ISBN-13: 978-3794528332