This site is intended for healthcare professionals

account_circleSign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages without signing in

Lumbar rib

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

A lumbar rib is an abnormality of costal development resulting in the formation of a rib or ribs that articulate with:

  • the first lumbar vertebra or
  • the tip of the transverse process of the first lumbar vertebra

Relatively more common than cervical rib, it is clinically important because:

  • on lumbar radiogram, it may be misinterpreted as a fracture of the L1 transverse process
  • it may confuse the appreciation of target organs during surgery

However, clinically it is usually silent.

Related pages

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.