Sixth cervical vertebra

Looks like

A lower neck vertebra (C6) at the level of the cricoid cartilage, with a prominent front knob on its side process (carotid tubercle).

What it does

Supports the neck and protects the cord; the carotid artery can be pressed against its tubercle.

Keeping it well

C5–C6 and C6–C7 are the most common levels for disc problems; C6 nerve pain reaches the thumb side of the forearm and hand.

Related conditions

• Acromegaly
• Fractures
• Fragility fracture
• Frailty & falls in older age
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Neck pain and cervical spondylosis
• Osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease)
• Osteomalacia & rickets
• Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
• Osteoporosis
• Paget's disease of bone
• Sarcoma
• Vitamin B1, C and other deficiencies
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Whiplash
• Wry neck (torticollis)