Supraclavicular foramen
Last revised by David Luong
on 17 Jun 2021
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Knipe H, Luong D, Supraclavicular foramen. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 17 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-26253
rID:
26253
Article created:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Henry Knipe had no recorded disclosures.
View Henry Knipe's current disclosures
Last revised:
17 Jun 2021,
David Luong
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised David Luong had no recorded disclosures.
View David Luong's current disclosures
Revisions:
2 times, by
2 contributors -
see full revision history and disclosures
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The supraclavicular foramen is a normal variant and typically found as an incidental finding on radiographs. It occurs in ~4% (range 2-6%) of the population.
Supraclavicular foramen appear as an osseous tunnel or tunnels, with the most typical position at the superior aspect of the junction of middle and distal thirds of the clavicle.
It transmits the supraclavicular nerve and is most often asymptomatic but it has been reported in the literature as a cause of supraclavicular nerve entrapment syndrome.
References
- 1. White TD, Black MT, Folkens PA. Human Osteology. Academic Press. ISBN:B004MPRDUY. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 2. Murlimanju BV, Prabhu LV, Pai MM et-al. Neurovascular foramina of the human clavicle and their clinical significance. Surg Radiol Anat. 2011;33 (8): 679-82. doi:10.1007/s00276-011-0805-y - Pubmed citation
- 3. Omokawa S, Tanaka Y, Miyauchi Y et-al. Traction neuropathy of the supraclavicular nerve attributable to an osseous tunnel of the clavicle. Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. 2005; (431): 238-40. Pubmed citation
- 4. Papadatos D. [Supraclavicular nerves perforating the clavicle. Study of 10 cases]. Anat Anz. 1980;147 (4): 371-81. Pubmed citation
- 5. Gelberman RH, Verdeck WN, Brodhead WT. Supraclavicular nerve-entrapment syndrome. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1975;57 (1): 119. Pubmed citation
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