What is a common characteristic of a cervical rib?

• A. It is always symptomatic.
• B. It correlates with frequent thoracic pain.
• C. It may be asymptomatic in many instances.
• D. It always requires surgical intervention.

Answer: (C)

A cervical rib is an additional rib that can develop from the seventh cervical vertebra. One of the most notable characteristics of a cervical rib is that it can often be asymptomatic, meaning that many individuals who have a cervical rib may not experience any symptoms at all. This is an important aspect to understand as it underscores the variability in presentation among individuals with this anatomical variation.

In many cases, the presence of a cervical rib may not lead to any functional limitations or clinical issues, and thus, individuals may go through their lives without even being aware that they have this extra rib. Knowledge of this characteristic is crucial for healthcare providers when evaluating thoracic outlet syndrome or other related conditions where cervical rib presence might be investigated.

In contrast, the other options imply a consistency of symptoms or treatment that does not align with the clinical reality—cervical ribs do not always result in symptoms, do not universally correlate with thoracic pain, and many do not require surgical intervention unless they are causing specific complications, such as nerve or vascular compression.