Homo sapiens - Thoracic vertebrae (vertebra thoracicae)

Homo sapiens - Thoracic vertebrae (vertebra thoracicae)

Victorian era (1834-1901), England.

About 65mm to 60mm in size.

Sold by the piece. The thoracic vertebrae in the picture are examples.

An elderly human thoracic vertebra that was used for medical teaching. The number of thoracic vertebrae (vertebrae thoracicae) corresponds to the number of ribs in all animal species. Two ribs articulate with each thoracic vertebra; as an exception, the first rib only articulates with the first thoracic vertebra

Symbol meaning

The symbolism of the bones of the human body is ancient and rich. Bones symbolize mortality, irrevocability and the end. The human skull is a classic example of this, a "memento mori" - a reminder of mortality. The skull is immediately found on toxic chemical warning signs and pirate flags. Churches and sanctuaries are decorated with them. Human bones have been made into sacred instruments and ritual vessels. Many indigenous peoples have a strong belief in the spirits of ancestors and their connection to the living. In these cultures, bones have been used as communication aids between ancestral spirits and the living during important rituals. Bones are considered a link between the physical and spiritual worlds. Bones are not only associated with death and the past, but also with life, the future and rebirth. In the Bible, Eve was born from Adam's rib:

Then the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep and while he was sleeping he took one of his ribs and filled the place with flesh. The Lord God made this rib into a woman and brought her to the man. And the man said:

This is it! this is

bone from my bone

and flesh of my flesh.

As a woman, let's say:

from the man he is taken.

(Genesis 2:21–23)

Note! All human osteological specimens we sell are former medical teaching specimens. We do not sell, buy or pass on osteological pieces whose history or origin is unknown or whose identifying marks do not meet these criteria. Finnish law prohibits breaking the grave peace (Finnish Criminal Code 563/1998, Chapter 17, Section 12.)