What is Erb's point?
In cardiology, Erb's point is a particular location on the chest that doctors use during auscultation. It is located on the left side of the sternum in the third intercostal space [1].
The point's name and location come from a German Neurologist, Wilhelm Erb. He introduced the spot as a general medicine doctor in the 1890s [1].
Other points on the human body are called Erb's points. One of them is just above the clavicle [2].
Erb's point is often confused with the "nerve point." It is not a synonym. The nerve point is where the cutaneous branches arise from the cervical plexus. It can be found close to the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle [2].
What is Erb's point used for, and what is its significance for cardiology?
Erb's point is used in medical examinations for auscultation of the heart. It is helpful in detecting the heart murmur of the aortic valve. Leakage of the aortic valve is particularly well heard at Erb's point [1]. It can also be used to detect syphilitic aortitis [1].
It was used for electrical stimulation of the proximal muscles of the arms [2]. In neurology, Erb's point can help diagnose conditions like Guillain-Barré syndrome [3] or brachial plexopathy [4]. It also is used in the research of the thoracic outlet syndrome [5, 6].