[Objective] To investigate the anatomical relation between manubrium sternum incisure(MSI)with the level of upper thoracic vertebrae(UTV)and to find out the basis of operative approach of UTV.[Method]Standing pan chest radiographs of 400 male and 400 female were equally divided into 4 year groups:≤19 years,20～39 years,40～59 years and ≥60 years and were used to observe the relationship between MSI with the level of UTV.On the basis of this relationship,a suitable UTV approach was advocated.There were fracture and dislocation of UTV 7 cases,UTV tumor 9 cases,tuberculosis of UTV 3 cases;OPLL ossification of UTV 2 cases.Diseases located at T1 6 cases,T2 7 cases,T3 2 cases,T4 3 cases,T1、2 2 cases,T2、3 1 case.Lower anterior cervical approach was performed for 7 cases including T1、2 one case and T2 one case,improved T3 1 case,and right subscapular transthoracic posterolateral approach was used for 5 cases.[Result]The number of UTV in relationship with the level of MSI was successively increased from T1 to T3 and was gradually decreased on T4,i.e.rate of cases of level of MST in relationship with T1、2 level was 1%,to T2 level 5.5%,to T2、3 level 15.87%,to T3 level 43.5%,to T3、4 level 20.75%,to T4 13.375%.No relationship was found in trend of distribution with the age and gender.The operative approach of UTV according its relationship with MSI was performed with the advantages of satisfactory exposure easily manipulation and satisfactory clinic results in most follow-up cases.One case died of metastasis of tumor in 9 months,3 cases were complicated with cerebrospinal fluid leakage and 3 cases with injury of recurrent laryngeal nerve.[Conclusion]Approach to UTV should be selected according to its relationship between MSI and diseased UTV preoperatively.The operative approach of UTV according to its relationship with MST has the advantages of satisfactory exposure,easily manipulation and satisfactory clinic results.