Observation and measurement of applied anatomical features for thoracic intervertebral foramen puncture on computed tomography images

Figure 3 Spatial position of the rib head/neck and transverse process space. A and B: The T2-3 intertransverse process space (ITPS) is not occluded by the rib neck/head, while the T3-4 ITPS is partially occluded, and the T8-9 ITPS is completely covered; C: The upper 1/3 level tomographic image of the T2-3 intervertebral foramen shows no occlusion by the corresponding rib neck/head; D: The upper 1/3 level tomographic image of the T8-9 intervertebral foramen shows occlusion by the corresponding rib neck; puncture of the intervertebral foramen would need to pass through the gap between the vertebral plate and the rib neck. TIVF: Thoracic intervertebral foramen.