[Pseudarthrosis in the middle of the first rib]

When the thoracic cavity in 510, 893 persons have been examined by means of small-framed roentgenofluerography under roentgenographic control, three cases with articulations in the middle of the first rib have been revealed: 2 cases unilateral and 1 case bilateral. Similar changes have been described by some authors using various names: joint, pseudoarthrosis, callus, fractures with various consolidations, disturbances in the course of the rib. In our roentgenogram: at the right--the posterior part of the first rib gets into the anterior part fork, at the left--the anterior part laterally, and the posterior part medially become conically narrowed; both junctions have light (cartilaginous) sheets and are regarded as synchondroses. It is important to keep in mind the possibility of existence of the connections in the middle of the first ribs in order to differentiate anomalies and pathological changes.