Final answer:
Adson's/Modified Adson's tests are used to assess the functionality of the thoracic outlet and can help diagnose thoracic outlet syndrome.
Step-by-step explanation:
Adson's test and Modified Adson's test are techniques used to assess the functionality of the thoracic outlet, which is the space between the collarbone and the first rib.
To perform Adson's test, the patient is asked to sit upright while the examiner palpates the radial pulse and rotates the head toward the side being tested. The patient then takes a deep breath and holds it while extending the head backwards. A loss or weakening of the pulse indicates a positive test, suggesting thoracic outlet syndrome.
Modified Adson's test is similar, but the patient looks straight ahead instead of rotating the head. Both tests can help diagnose thoracic outlet syndrome, a condition characterized by compression of the nerves or blood vessels in the thoracic outlet.