I have an iMac running OSX 10.8.4.
I've tried this on emacs built from Homebrew, as well as a version I've downloaded from http://emacsformacosx.com/
I've tried this with a completely clean ~/.emacs.d
.
What happens when I go C-h k
then type ctrl-up arrow, is I get a explanation that " runs the command backward-paragraph" and so on. The same thing with ctrl-down arrow.
When I try ctrl-right arrow, or ctr-left arrow, nothing happens.
If I go C-h b
I see that they keys are bound:
<C-left> left-word
<C-right> right-word
But nothing happens.
I'm running the standard, flat, mac keyboard with a cord.
Best Answer
Actually, I found that ctrl-left arrow and ctrl-right arrow did nothing, even for other applications on my Mac.
Under Keyboard -> Keyboard Shortcuts in System Settings, you'll have to deselect the Mission Control shortcuts, which appear to have been added through some OSX update.