[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Spine](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/spine/) › T6 vertebra [Skeletal system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/skeletal-system/) · [Spine](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/spine/) # T6 vertebra T6 is the sixth thoracic (mid-back) vertebra; it has joints for the ribs and helps form the cage that protects the heart and lungs. Official name: T6 [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=spine&select=t6&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is A typical mid-back vertebra, with a heart-shaped body and small joints on each side for the ribs. ## What it does Holds up the trunk and, with the ribs and breastbone, forms the rib cage, which protects the heart and lungs. The ribs make this part of the [spine](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/spine/) stiff. ## Key points - Cord injuries at T6 or above can cause autonomic dysreflexia: a dangerous surge in blood pressure triggered by a stimulus below the injury, such as a full bladder - The mid-thoracic cord is a vascular watershed: feeder arteries are sparse between the upper thoracic supply and the [artery of Adamkiewicz](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/great-radicular-artery/), so cord infarction favours roughly T4–T9 - The T6 dermatome crosses the xiphoid process ## Key facts **Joints with** T5 above and T7 below (discs, facet joints); heads of ribs 6 and 7; tubercle of rib 6 (costotransverse joint) **Landmarks** Typical thoracic: heart-shaped body; costal demifacets above and below; transverse costal facets; long sloping spine; aortic impression on left side of body ## Relations **In front** [Esophagus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/esophagus-abdominal-part/) moving slightly left, with the [left atrium](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/left-atrium/) of the heart in front of it and the descending [thoracic aorta](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/thoracic-aorta/) against the left side of the body **Lateral** Heads of the sixth and seventh [ribs](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ribs/); [posterior intercostal arteries](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/posterior-intercostal-arteries/) from the aorta wrap round the body; the [azygos vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/azygos-vein/) on the right **Behind** [Trapezius](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/trapezius-muscle/) and erector spinae; the inferior angle of the [scapula](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/scapula/) lies about one level lower **Contents** [Spinal cord](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/spinal-cord/) in its narrowest and least well-supplied stretch ## How to find it Counted up one spine from T7, which lies level with the inferior angle of the scapula with the arms by the sides. ## On imaging In spinal cord infarction, axial T2 MRI may show two bright dots in the anterior horns ('owl's eyes'); diffusion imaging confirms an acute infarct. Lateral films show wedging if the body has collapsed. ## Common problems - Compression fractures from osteoporosis, sometimes after a minor fall or even a cough. - A rounded upper back (kyphosis) from posture, wedge fractures or Scheuermann disease in teens. - Scoliosis: a sideways curve with rotation, often starting in adolescence. ## How it is diagnosed X-rays for fractures and curves (scoliosis is measured with the Cobb angle). MRI tells new fractures from old ones. A bone density scan (DEXA) checks for osteoporosis. ## Treatment - Osteoporosis fractures: pain control, a short time in a brace, and treatment of the osteoporosis. - Painful fractures that do not settle: kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty (cement injected into the bone). - Large or progressive curves: bracing in growing children, sometimes fusion surgery. ## Clinical notes - [Anterior spinal artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/anterior-spinal-artery/) infarction (after aortic surgery, dissection or severe low blood pressure): sudden weak legs and loss of pain and temperature below the level, with position and vibration sense kept - Autonomic dysreflexia shows as pounding headache, flushing above the injury and slow pulse; the trigger below the level, often bladder or bowel, is the key - Neuraxial blocks are checked against dermatome landmarks: T6 at the xiphoid and T4 at the [nipple](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/nipple/); a caesarean section needs a block up to about T4, and a block that climbs higher also reaches the cardiac sympathetic fibres (T1–T4) and can slow the heart ## Related conditions - [Malignant spinal cord compression](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/malignant-spinal-cord-compression/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## What is autonomic dysreflexia, a risk after spinal cord injury at T6 or above? A dangerous surge in blood pressure triggered by a stimulus below the injury, often a full bladder: pounding headache, flushing above the injury and a slow pulse. ## Why is the spinal cord at the level of the T6 vertebra prone to infarction? It is a vascular watershed: feeder arteries are sparse between the upper thoracic supply and the artery of Adamkiewicz (about T4–T9). ## What are the features of anterior spinal artery infarction of the mid-thoracic cord? Sudden weak legs and loss of pain and temperature below the level, with position and vibration sense kept. ## Which dermatome crosses the xiphoid process? T6. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/t6/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** vertebra thoracica VI TA2 1059 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Vértebra dorsal D6 DeCS D013904 **English (TA2)** T6 ## Related - [T5–T6 disc](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/t5-t6/) - [T6–T7 disc](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/t6-t7/) - [Posterior intercostal arteries](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/posterior-intercostal-arteries/) - [Anterior longitudinal ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/anterior-longitudinal-ligament/) - [Rib-to-spine ligaments](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/radiate-ligament-of-head-of-rib/) - [Endplates](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vertebral-endplates/) - [Mid-back facet joints](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/zygapophysial-joints-spine-and-pelvis-facet-joints-thoracic/) - [Interspinous ligaments](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/interspinous-ligaments/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=14291&filter=ths_termall&q=V%C3%A9rtebras%20Tor%C3%A1cicas); [Anatomy, Back, Thoracic Vertebrae](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459153/). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/t6/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/t6/