I am wondering the relationship between the kernel version and RT patch version
- Latest stable version at kernel.org is "Linux-3.6.8"
- Latest RT version at kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/projects/rt/3.6/is "patches-3.6.7-rt18"

Do the version numbers have to match?
If so, why isn't a "patches-3.6.8-rt18"

Also in the same directory there is a "patch-3.6.7-rt18" What is the difference?

Note: I am new so I hope this is the correct forum.