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The intercostal muscles are the muscles between the ribs. They get their name from the Latin words that mean between ribs. They are responsible for expanding and contracting the chest and assisting in breathing. Intercostal muscles consist of three layers of muscles: external, internal, and innermost. They are the most commonly affected muscle group in musculoskeletal causes of chest pain. Intercostal muscle strain is a common injury that can occur due to overexertion, direct trauma, or repetitive motions. It can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling, and may require medical attention if symptoms persist or breathing becomes difficult.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Intercostal muscles |
| Location | Between the ribs |
| Function | Linking ribs, changing the size of the ribcage, helping with breathing |
| Layers | 3 (external, internal, innermost) |
| Symptoms of strain | Pain, stiffness, swelling, muscle spasms, difficulty breathing |
| Causes of strain | Twisting, lifting, sports, trauma, coughing, sneezing, overexertion |
| Treatment | Cold therapy, heat therapy, medication, surgery, meditation |
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What You'll Learn
Intercostal muscles are the muscles between the ribs
The intercostal muscles are the muscles between the ribs. They get their name from the Latin words that mean "between ribs". They span the 11 intercostal spaces, or gaps, between the 12 ribs. Each rib is like a curved beam that wraps around the thorax, which is the chest and the areas of the sides and back behind it. The intercostal muscles link each rib to its neighbours, and they change the size of the space inside the ribcage, which is how we breathe.
The intercostal muscles have three layers: the external intercostals, the internal intercostals, and the innermost intercostals. The external intercostals are the outermost layer and lie directly under the skin. They originate from the lower border of the rib above and insert into the upper border of the rib below, expanding the chest wall during inhalation. The internal intercostals are the intermediate layer, originating from the costal groove near the inferior border of the rib above and attaching to the rib below. They help collapse the lung during exhalation. The innermost intercostal muscles cross more than one intercostal space and assist the internal and external intercostals in their function.
Intercostal muscle strain is a common injury that can result from overexertion, direct trauma such as a fall, or repetitive torso twists. It can also be caused by a sudden increase in physical activity or the physical demands of the chest and upper body. Symptoms of intercostal muscle strain include pain and tightness in the chest and/or ribs, which can increase with movement, deep breathing, coughing, or sneezing. The location of the pain can vary anywhere along the rib cage.
If you experience intercostal muscle strain, it is important to see a doctor if the pain is severe, lasts for more than a few days, or interferes with sleep or daily activities. Home treatment may be sufficient for mild cases, but in more severe cases, medical guidance is necessary. Treatment options include cold therapy, heat therapy, and over-the-counter pain relievers. In some cases, surgery may be required if the muscles are completely torn.
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Intercostal muscle strain symptoms
Intercostal muscles are the muscles between the ribs that help with breathing by changing the size of the space inside the rib cage. Intercostal muscle strain symptoms can vary depending on the type and intensity of the injury. Here are some common symptoms:
Pain
Pain from an intercostal muscle strain can be sharp or dull and is usually localized to the chest or rib area. It may increase with coughing, sneezing, twisting, moving, or breathing deeply. The pain can also radiate to the upper back or abdomen and may be accompanied by muscle spasms.
Stiffness and Mobility Issues
Intercostal muscle strain can cause muscle stiffness and tightness, making it difficult to move the upper torso and affecting posture. This can lead to a limited range of motion and difficulty in performing daily activities.
Swelling and Bruising
In severe cases of intercostal muscle strain, swelling and bruising may occur at the site of the injury. This can cause increased sensitivity and tenderness in the affected area.
Breathing Difficulties
The strain on the intercostal muscles can affect the breathing pattern, resulting in shortness of breath or shallow breathing to avoid pain.
Treatment
Home treatment for mild intercostal muscle strain may include rest, ice packs, heat therapy, and over-the-counter pain medications. However, if the symptoms are severe, interfere with sleep or daily activities, or are accompanied by difficulty breathing, it is advisable to seek medical attention. A doctor can perform a physical examination, order imaging tests, and provide appropriate treatment options.
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Intercostal muscle strain treatment
Intercostal muscles are the muscles between the ribs that help with breathing by changing the size of the space inside the rib cage. Intercostal muscle strain is almost always the result of overexertion or injury. The symptoms of intercostal muscle strain include sharp pain, stiffness, and difficulty moving. The treatment for intercostal muscle strain depends on the severity of the injury.
If the injury is mild, home treatment may be sufficient. This includes resting and limiting physical activity for a few days to allow the muscle strain to recover. Applying an ice pack or a cold pack followed by heat therapy can also help. Over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help reduce swelling and pain. Deep breathing exercises can be done to improve shallow breathing. However, it is important to note that stretching should only be done under the supervision of a physical therapist or other healthcare provider, as incorrect stretching can trigger pain and result in muscle weakness.
If the injury is more severe, medical attention may be required. A doctor will typically perform a physical examination to check for limitations of movement and assess areas of tenderness. Imaging tests such as ultrasound or MRI scans may be ordered to rule out other injuries, such as a fractured rib. Depending on the severity of the injury, the doctor may recommend gentle physical therapy and breathing exercises to stretch the tender muscles.
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Intercostal muscle strain causes
Intercostal muscles are the muscles between the ribs that help with breathing and building the chest wall. When an intercostal muscle gets twisted, strained, or stretched too far, it can tear, causing intercostal muscle strain. Intercostal muscle strain causes include:
Trauma or Injury
Trauma to the chest, such as a direct blow or sudden impact to the chest or rib cage, can cause intercostal muscle strain. This can happen during contact sports or other physical activities that involve sudden twisting movements, reaching overhead, or repetitive forceful movements.
Overexertion or Overuse
A sudden increase in physical activity, especially if the muscles are not properly conditioned or warmed up, can lead to intercostal muscle strain. This is common in sports such as tennis, golf, and rowing, as well as physical labour that involves repetitive twisting, frequent weight lifting, or prolonged overhead activities.
Poor Posture
Sitting or standing with poor posture for extended periods can lead to muscle strain, especially if the muscles are already weak.
Dehydration
Dehydration can lead to muscle fatigue, increasing the risk of intercostal muscle strain.
Overstretching
Overstretching the intercostal muscles can cause strain and trigger pain. This can happen during certain stretching exercises or yoga positions if not done properly or under supervision.
Intercostal muscle strain can cause symptoms such as sharp pain, stiffness, and difficulty breathing and moving. Diagnosis and treatment depend on the severity of the strain and may include physical examinations, imaging tests, rest, ice packs, heat therapy, and pain medications.
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Intercostal muscle anatomy
The intercostal muscles are the muscles that lie within the rib cage, between the ribs. The word "intercostal" comes from Latin words that mean "between ribs". The intercostal muscles span the 11 intercostal spaces, the gaps between your 12 ribs. Each of your ribs is like a curved beam that wraps around your thorax (your chest and the areas of your sides and back behind it).
The intercostal muscles comprise several different groups of muscles that run between the ribs and help form and move the chest wall. They are involved in the mechanical aspect of breathing by helping to expand and shrink the size of the chest cavity. The intercostal muscles have different layers that attach to the ribs to help build the chest wall and assist in breathing. Most intercostal muscles attach to two ribs, one above and one below. Each type of intercostal muscle has a specific location between those ribs.
The external intercostal muscles are the outermost layer of intercostal muscles. They lie directly under the skin and originate from the lower border of the rib above, running obliquely and inserting into the upper border of the rib below. They expand the chest wall during inhalation. There are 11 pairs of these muscles, and they are responsible for the elevation of the ribs and bending them more open, thus expanding the transverse dimensions of the thoracic cavity. The muscle fibres are directed downwards, forwards, and medially in the anterior part.
The internal intercostal muscles are the intermediate layer of intercostal muscles. They originate from the costal groove near the inferior border of the rib above and insert into the upper border of the rib below. They help collapse the lung during exhalation. There are also 11 pairs of these muscles, and they are responsible for the depression of the ribs and bending them inward, thus decreasing the transverse dimensions of the thoracic cavity. The muscle fibres are directed downwards, forwards, and laterally, forming a right angle with the external intercostal muscle.
The innermost intercostal muscle, also known as intercostalis intimus, is a deep layer of the internal intercostal muscles, separated from them by a neurovascular bundle. The muscle fibres are directed downwards, forwards, and laterally, the same as the intercostalis internus muscle. These muscles cross more than one intercostal space and assist the internal and external intercostals in their function.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, they are called intercostal muscles.
Symptoms of an intercostal muscle strain include sharp pain, stiffness, and difficulty breathing. The pain gets worse with movement, deep breathing, coughing, or sneezing.
An intercostal muscle strain occurs when the muscle is torn or overstretched. This can happen due to twisting, lifting, falling, or a sudden increase in physical activity.
Mild cases of intercostal muscle strain can be treated at home with cold therapy, heat therapy, and pain relievers. More severe cases may require medical attention, and surgery may be necessary if the muscles are completely torn.
