Why do they call it Erb's point? An In-Depth Medical Explanation

September 28, 2025 •

3 min read

Wilhelm Heinrich Erb, a pioneer of modern neurology in the late 19th century, made many contributions to medicine, with several conditions and anatomical locations still bearing his name, prompting the question: Why do they call it Erb's point?.

Quick Summary

The name honors Wilhelm Heinrich Erb, a 19th-century German neurologist who identified two distinct anatomical landmarks for electrical testing and auscultation, though the duality often causes clinical confusion.

Key Points

Origin from Wilhelm Erb: The term was coined in honor of Wilhelm Heinrich Erb (1840-1921), a distinguished German neurologist.
Dual Meaning: The name refers to two different anatomical landmarks: one in the neck for neurological purposes and another on the chest for cardiac auscultation.
Neurological Point: Located above the clavicle, this is where the C5 and C6 nerve roots converge and is clinically significant for brachial plexus injury and surgery.
Cardiac Point: Found in the third intercostal space, this site is used to listen for specific heart murmurs during a physical exam.
Eponym Confusion: The existence of two separate points named after the same person highlights the potential for ambiguity with medical eponyms.
Clinical Precision: Context is vital to differentiate between the neurological and cardiac Erb's points to ensure accurate communication and diagnosis.

Who Was Wilhelm Heinrich Erb?

Wilhelm Heinrich Erb (1840-1921) was a prominent German neurologist whose work significantly influenced modern neurology. Known for his clinical observations and systematic research, Erb developed diagnostic techniques, including electrodiagnostic testing. His numerous contributions led to several medical terms and conditions being named after him or shared eponyms with colleagues. Some of these include Erb's Palsy, Erb-Goldflam disease (myasthenia gravis), Erb's Dystrophy, and the Erb-Westphal symptom. This extensive body of work is the reason behind naming two distinct anatomical landmarks as "Erb's point," which can lead to clinical confusion.

The Two Different Erb's Points

Understanding the term "Erb's point" requires recognizing that it refers to two separate anatomical locations, distinguished by their clinical context: neurology or cardiology.

The Neurological Erb's Point (Brachial Plexus)

This point is situated on the upper trunk of the brachial plexus, a nerve network in the neck and arm. It is located approximately 2–3 cm above the clavicle in the supraclavicular region, formed by the convergence of nerve roots C5 and C6. Wilhelm Erb originally used this site for transcutaneous electrical stimulation as a diagnostic method. The nerves converging here include the C5 and C6 nerve roots, the superior trunk of the brachial plexus, the suprascapular nerve, and the nerve to the subclavius. This area's concentration of nerve fibers makes it susceptible to injury, such as during childbirth, potentially causing Erb's palsy.

The Cardiac Erb's Point (Auscultation)

The second Erb's point is located on the chest wall and used during cardiac examination. It is found in the third intercostal space along the left sternal border. This site serves as the fifth auscultatory area for the heart and is particularly useful for listening to aortic valve sounds and murmurs, a technique Erb taught in the 1890s.

Clinical Significance of Both Points

Both Erb's points have important clinical applications.

Clinical Applications of the Neurological Point

The neurological Erb's point is relevant for diagnosing brachial plexus injuries like Erb's palsy. It also serves as a surgical landmark in head and neck procedures to protect the spinal accessory nerve and is a standard site for recording upper-extremity somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs).

Clinical Applications of the Cardiac Point

In cardiology, the chest-wall Erb's point provides a valuable location for auscultating heart sounds, particularly for detecting murmurs that may be widely heard across the chest.

Medical Eponyms and the Naming Convention

The dual meaning of Erb's point exemplifies medical eponyms, which honor individuals but can sometimes lead to confusion. The existence of other terms like Erb's palsy and Erb's dystrophy also named after him further illustrates the potential for ambiguity. There has been discussion in the medical community regarding the use of possessive eponyms, with some recommending descriptive anatomical names to enhance clarity.

Comparison of the Two Erb's Points


Feature	Neurological Erb's Point	Cardiac Erb's Point
Associated Field	Neurology / Anatomy	Cardiology
Anatomical Location	Supraclavicular region, above the clavicle	Third intercostal space, left of the sternum
Composed Of	Union of C5 and C6 nerve roots in the brachial plexus	Location on the chest wall for auscultation
Key Function	Site for electrical stimulation; diagnostic landmark	Auscultation of heart sounds, especially murmurs
Primary Clinical Application	Assessment of nerve injuries like Erb's palsy; surgical landmark	Listening for heart abnormalities, particularly aortic issues

Conclusion: A Legacy of Clinical Insight

The reason why do they call it Erb's point? stems from Wilhelm Erb's significant contributions across neurology and general medicine. His legacy is reflected in two distinct anatomical points bearing his name: a neurological point important for the nervous system and a cardiac point crucial for heart auscultation. Recognizing the historical context and the specific locations helps to avoid confusion and appreciate Erb's enduring impact on clinical practice. For more information on Erb's contributions to neurology, you can consult resources such as this publication from the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Erb's point is the anatomical location in the neck (where the C5 and C6 nerves join) that, when injured, can cause Erb's palsy, which is the paralysis of the arm resulting from that nerve damage.

The neurological Erb's point is located approximately 2–3 centimeters above the clavicle (collarbone) at the junction of the C5 and C6 nerve roots, which form the upper trunk of the brachial plexus.

The cardiac Erb's point is important for a heart exam because its location, at the left sternal border in the third intercostal space, is a key spot for auscultating, or listening to, heart sounds, especially murmurs associated with the aortic valve.

Wilhelm Erb identified the neurological point while developing electrodiagnostic methods for nerve and muscle testing. He taught the cardiac auscultation point during his time as a general medicine chair in the late 1890s.

Yes, the neurological Erb's point in the neck is used as a crucial surgical landmark during procedures like neck dissections to help identify and preserve the spinal accessory nerve.

The 'waiter's tip hand' is a classic sign of Erb's palsy, where the affected arm hangs limp with the shoulder medially rotated, the elbow extended, and the forearm pronated, resembling a waiter holding a tip.

Yes, despite some calls for more descriptive anatomical names, the term 'Erb's point' remains widely used in clinical practice and medical literature for both its neurological and cardiac applications.

Injury typically occurs from excessive stretching or traction on the nerves, which can happen during a difficult birth, a fall onto the shoulder, or other traumatic events.