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?
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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].