Internal Intercostal Muscles

Description

Internal Intercostal Muscles

Schematic of the chest wall musculature indicating the location of muscles. Inspiratory muscles including scalenes, external intercostals, parasternal intercostals and diaphragm are drawn on the left. Expiratory muscles are drawn on the right

Name

• Internal Intercostals

General

• One of the 3 muscles in the intercostal muscle group

Origin

• Costal groove of ribs

Insertion

• Superior border of rib below

Actions

• Some of the primary Muscles of Respiration
• Depress ribs during forced expiration
• Stabilize intercostal spaces

Vascular Supply

• Anterior and Posterior Intercostal Arteries
• Internal Thoracic Arteries
• Musculophrenic Arteries
• Costocervical Trunk

Nerve

• Intercostal Nerves

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Clinical Significance

Pathology

• Rib Fracture
• Intercostal Nerve Injury
• Intercostal Muscle Strain

Surgical

• Encountered during thoracotomy or chest tube placement

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See Also

• Physical Exam Torso
• Torso Anatomy (Main)
• Chest Pain (Main)

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