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Sonam Wangchuk spine X-ray rare finding doctors surprised

The Rare Finding: An Extra Lumbar Vertebra (L6)

The photo shows a lateral spine X-ray of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, and the rare finding that surprised doctors is:

Supernumerary Lumbar Vertebra - "L6"

A normal human spine has exactly 5 lumbar vertebrae (L1-L5). In the X-ray, a 6th lumbar vertebra is visible - this is called a supernumerary (extra) lumbar vertebra, informally referred to as "L6."
How rare is this?
  • It occurs in roughly 1-2% of the general population, making it genuinely uncommon
  • It's a congenital (present from birth) anatomical variation - not a disease or injury
  • The extra vertebra forms during embryonic spinal development
Why did it surprise doctors?
  • It means Sonam Wangchuk has 24 vertebrae instead of the typical 23 (7 cervical + 12 thoracic + 5 lumbar)
  • The X-ray was taken in the context of him being on a prolonged hunger strike (he had been fasting for 19+ days and lost over 9 kg), so doctors were examining his spine when they noticed this anatomical curiosity
  • People with L6 usually have no symptoms at all - it is often discovered incidentally
Clinical significance: Most people with an extra lumbar vertebra live their entire lives without knowing about it. It can occasionally be associated with lower back pain or altered spinal mechanics, but is generally benign. It's more of an interesting anatomical finding than a medical problem.
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