Cervical rib

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Cervical rib
Cervical rib as seen on X-ray
Synonyms	Neck rib
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Neck pain, shoulder pain, numbness in the arm
Complications	Thoracic outlet syndrome
Onset	Congenital
Duration	Lifelong
Types	N/A
Causes	Genetic mutation
Risks	Thoracic outlet syndrome, nerve compression
Diagnosis	X-ray, MRI
Differential diagnosis	Thoracic outlet syndrome, Pancoast tumor
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Physical therapy, surgery
Medication	Pain relievers
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	0.5% to 1% of the population
Deaths	N/A

Cervical Rib

X-ray showing a cervical rib.

Cervical Rib

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.

Introduction

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

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

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

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

Diagnosis of a cervical rib typically involves:

• X-ray imaging of the neck and upper chest
• Additional imaging studies, such as MRI or CT scans, if necessary

Treatment

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

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