Intercostal Muscles Anatomy
Anatomy of the Intercostal Muscles
The intercostal muscles support the rib cage and play an extremely important role in the breathing process. The external intercostal muscles lie over the internal intercostal muscles. These muscles span all the way across the ribs to form one complete unit. When breathing in, the capacity of the rib cage is expanded in all directions, and with each intake of breath the intercostal muscles act to raise the ribs. When breathing out the muscles of the ribs return to their original position due to this being a passive process. The combined layers of the intercostals muscles allow for movement of the ribs during the breathing process, which allows the rib cage to increase in capacity during inspiration, and recoil to their starting position during expiration.
Related Injuries
- Bruised Rib Cage
- Fractured Rib
Related Surgeries
- Slipping Rib Repair
Referenced Material
Anatomica’s Body Atlas. (2002). San Diego, CA: Thunder Bay Press (pg. 149, 325)