Atlas of Human Anatomy by Netter

intercostal of rib of rib below nerve musculophrenic artery and costocervical trunk four and five);

others depress

ribs

Innermost

intercostal

Inferior border

of rib

Superior border

of rib below

Intercostal

nerve

Posterior intercostals and collaterals Act similar to

internal

intercostals

Transversus

thoracis

Internal surface

of costal

cartilages 2-6

Posterior

surface of lower

sternum

Intercostal

nerve

Anterior intercostals, internal thoracic artery Depress ribs and

costal cartilages

Subcostal Internal surface

of lower rib near

their angles

Superior

borders of

second or third

ribs below

Intercostal

nerve

Posterior artery, musculophrenic artery Depress ribs

Levator

costarum

Transverse

processes of

C7 and T1-T11

Subjacent ribs

between

tubercle and

angle

Dorsal

primary

rami of

C8-T11

Posterior intercostals Elevate ribs

page 102

page 103

Intercostal nerves

[Plate 185, Intercostal Nerves and Arteries]

Intercostal nerves arise from the ventral rami of the upper eleven thoracic spinal nerves

Each intercostal nerve divides to give a lateral cutaneous branch near the midaxillary line

Anterior cutaneous branches innervate the skin on the anterior abdomen and thorax and divide into medial and lateral branches.

Muscular branches supply the intercostal, levatores costarum, transversus thoracis, and serratus posterior muscles.

The lower five intercostal nerves supply the skin and muscles of the abdominal wall

Contain general somatic afferent and efferent fibers, as well as general visceral efferent fibers from the sympathetic trunk via white and grey

rami communicantes and general visceral afferent fibers.

Ribs