Question

A 10-year-old girl falls out of a tree and X-rays show small fractures of the transverse processes of T3 to T5 on the right side. She will be watched for what abnormal spinal curvature over the next several years?

Answer 1

Hint: The human thoracic vertebra is numbered as T1-T12. They have facets on the sides for fitting with the heads of the ribs and also have facets on the transverse processes. T3 and T5 are the upper part of the spine.

Complete answer:
The transverse process is a small projection off the right and left side of each vertebra. Every vertebra has two transverse processes which function as the site of attachment for the spinal muscle and ligament. It also functions in articulation of ribs.
According to the question, the fractures were on the transverse process of T3 and T5 and were on the right side.
The T3 vertebra: The T3 vertebra control the lungs and bronchial tubes.
The T5 vertebra: The T5 vertebra is located centrally and protects the nerves which feed neurons constantly to the liver, nerves responsible for metabolism, release of hormones.
Small fractures in these bones can pull off a bone. These kinds of fractures do not cause injury to the spinal cord or nerves. They may cause internal bleeding and other injuries which are not clear with mere examination.

There could be they possibility of
1. Kyphosis is referred to as a condition of abnormally curved spine. It is mostly seen during the adolescence age. It results in the abnormal rounding of the upper back. The people having kyphosis have a stiff back with back pain. In females it is often associated with osteoporosis.
2. Scoliosis as the injury is on the right side as it is the sidewise curvature of the spine. It generally happens in children during the growth phases just before puberty and they develop spine deformities. It gets severe, painful and disabling.

Note: Both the deformities show mild or no symptoms associated with pain. Kyphosis is also known as hunchback disorder. It can be treated through medication, physiotherapy, and also surgery. Scoliosis can be treated by using braces or by surgery.