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Intercostal space

{{Short description|Anatomic space between two ribs}}

{{Use American English|date = January 2019}}

{{Use mdy dates|date = January 2019}}

{{Infobox anatomy

| Name = Intercostal space

| Latin = spatium intercostale

| Image = Gray530.png

| Caption = Intercostal spaces, viewed from the right.

| Image2 = Gray315.png

| Caption2 = Sternocostal and interchondral articulations. Anterior view.

| System =

}}

The intercostal space (ICS) is the anatomic space between two ribs (Lat. costa). Since there are 12 ribs on each side, there are 11 intercostal spaces, each numbered for the rib superior to it.Troyer, A. D., Kelly, S., Macklem, P. T., & Zin, W. A. (1985). Mechanics of intercostal space and actions of external and internal intercostal muscles. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 75(3), 850-857. doi:10.1172/jci111782

Structures in intercostal space

Order of components

= Muscles =

There are 3 muscular layers in each intercostal space, consisting of the external intercostal muscle, the internal intercostal muscle, and the thinner innermost intercostal muscle.{{Citation|last=Jacob|first=S.|title=Chapter 3 - Thorax|date=2008-01-01|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780443103735500063|work=Human Anatomy|pages=51–70|editor-last=Jacob|editor-first=S.|publisher=Churchill Livingstone|language=en|doi=10.1016/b978-0-443-10373-5.50006-3|isbn=978-0-443-10373-5|access-date=2020-11-16}}{{Citation|last=Rakovich|first=George|title=8 - Thoracic Surgical Anatomy and Procedures|date=2010-01-01|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9781416039938000088|work=Medical Management of the Thoracic Surgery Patient|pages=95–105|editor-last=Lewis|editor-first=Michael I.|place=Philadelphia|publisher=W.B. Saunders|language=en|doi=10.1016/b978-1-4160-3993-8.00008-8|isbn=978-1-4160-3993-8|access-date=2020-11-16|last2=Fréchette|first2=Éric|last3=Deslauriers|first3=Jean|editor2-last=McKenna|editor2-first=Robert J.|editor3-last=Falk|editor3-first=Jeremy A.|editor4-last=Chaux|editor4-first=George E.}} These muscles help to move the ribs during breathing.{{Citation|last=Watkins|first=James|title=CHAPTER 3 - The skeleton|date=2009-01-01|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780702030321000032|work=The Pocket Podiatry Guide: Functional Anatomy|pages=67–105|editor-last=Watkins|editor-first=James|place=Edinburgh|publisher=Churchill Livingstone|language=en|doi=10.1016/b978-0-7020-3032-1.00003-2|isbn=978-0-7020-3032-1|access-date=2020-11-16|last2=Mathieson|first2=Ian|editor2-last=Mathieson|editor2-first=Ian}}

= Neurovascular bundles =

Neurovascular bundles are located between the internal intercostal muscle and the innermost intercostal muscle. The neurovascular bundle has a strict order of vein-artery-nerve (VAN), from top to bottom. This neurovascular bundle runs high in the intercostal space, and the smaller collateral neurovascular bundle runs just superior to the lower rib of the space (in the order NAV from superior to inferior). Invasive procedures such as thoracentesis are performed with oblique entry of the instrument, directly above the upper margin of the relevant rib, to avoid damaging the neurovascular bundles.

== Nerves ==

In reference to the muscles of the thoracic wall, the intercostal nerves and vessels run posterior to the internal intercostal muscles: therefore, they are generally covered on the inside by the parietal pleura, except when they are covered by the innermost intercostal muscles, innermost intercostal membrane, subcostal muscles or the transversus thoracis muscle.

References

External links

  • {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|18|04|00}} - "Structural organization within an intercostal space."
  • {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|18|01|01|08}} - "Thoracic Wall: The Anterior Thoracic Wall"

{{Bones of torso}}

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Category:Thorax (human anatomy)

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