Sixth thoracic vertebra

Looks like

A typical mid-chest vertebra (T6) with facets for two pairs of ribs.

What it does

Supports the trunk, carries ribs and shields the spinal cord.

Keeping it well

Cord injury at or above T6 can cause dangerous blood pressure surges (autonomic dysreflexia).

Related conditions

• Acromegaly
• Fractures
• Fragility fracture
• Frailty & falls in older age
• Hyperparathyroidism
• 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