Cervical rib

As a cervical rib syndrome, also Adson Coffey syndrome or Naffziger syndrome, according to Howard Naffziger (1884-1956) is called the compression of the neurovascular structures to the arm by an additional rudimentary until complete, possibly articulated divided rib on the 7th cervical vertebra in humans. It is sometimes combined with other skeletal abnormalities, but often only on one side.

In mammals, cervical ribs are usually no longer applied. You are as a phylogenetic relic, a throwback and occur in less than 1 % of the population.

The upper supraclavicular fossa is passed through an in depth palpable, bone-hard tumor. The detection is achieved with specially selected radiographs. Often the cervical rib is an incidental finding without any clinical significance.

During the actual cervical rib syndrome but there is an impairment of the nerves of the brachial plexus and the blood circulation in the subclavian artery or subclavian vein (especially in Armhebung ). The cervical rib syndrome is one of the thoracic outlet syndromes. Treatment consists of surgical removal of the cervical rib.

It is in the scientific debate about whether there is an increased risk of cancer at an early age in the presence of cervical ribs.