Cervical rib

From WikiMD's Wellnesspedia

Cervical Rib[edit | edit source]

X-ray showing a cervical rib.

Cervical Rib[edit | edit source]

A cervical rib is an anatomical anomaly where an extra rib, known as a cervical rib, forms in the cervical (neck) region of the spine. This condition is relatively rare and can sometimes lead to medical complications.

Overview[edit | edit source]

Cervical ribs arise from the seventh cervical vertebra and can be present on one or both sides of the neck. They vary in size and can be fully formed ribs or just small rib-like structures.

Development[edit | edit source]

Cervical ribs develop embryologically and are considered a congenital anomaly. The exact cause of their formation is not clearly understood but is thought to be a result of genetic factors or developmental irregularities.

Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]

While many individuals with a cervical rib experience no symptoms, in some cases, it can lead to:

  • Compression of nearby nerves and blood vessels
  • Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS), a group of disorders that occur when the blood vessels or nerves in the thoracic outlet become compressed

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

Symptoms associated with cervical ribs may include:

  • Pain in the neck and shoulder area
  • Numbness or tingling in the arms or fingers
  • Weakness in the hands

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Diagnosis of a cervical rib typically involves:

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment for cervical rib depends on the severity of symptoms and may include:

  • Physical therapy
  • Pain management strategies
  • Surgical removal of the cervical rib in severe cases


Resources[edit source]

Latest articles - Cervical rib

PubMed
Clinical trials

Source: Data courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Since the data might have changed, please query MeSH on Cervical rib for any updates.



Cervical rib Resources

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