Thoracic Nerve [upd] -
The twelfth thoracic nerve is unique. Because there is no 13th rib for it to travel above, it continues past the 12th rib into the abdomen. Consequently, it is named the .
Physicians often target these nerves for pain management. An is an injection of anesthetic near a thoracic nerve. It is commonly used to treat pain from rib fractures, shingles, or to provide pain relief after chest or abdominal surgery (such as a mastectomy or gallbladder removal). thoracic nerve
This distinct band-like pattern is medically significant because damage to a specific nerve root will result in sensory loss in that specific horizontal band. The twelfth thoracic nerve is unique