
The intercostal muscles are a group of intrinsic rib cage muscles that occupy the 11 intercostal spaces between the ribs. They are divided into three groups: external, internal, and innermost intercostals. All three groups of muscles support the rib cage and are accessory respiratory muscles that participate in the process of forced breathing. The external intercostals facilitate forced inspiration by raising the ribs and expanding the chest cavity, while the internal and innermost intercostals aid forced expiration by depressing the ribs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Function | The external intercostal muscles elevate the ribs during forced inspiration, while the internal intercostal muscles depress the ribs during forced expiration |
| Innervation | Anterior rami of spinal nerves T1-T11, i.e. the intercostal nerves of the corresponding intercostal space |
| Blood supply | Anterior and posterior intercostal arteries, costocervical trunk, internal thoracic and musculophrenic arteries |
| Location | Between each rib, starting at the first rib and extending down to the 11th rib |
| Role | Play a large role in the respiratory system |
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What You'll Learn
- The external intercostals elevate the ribs during forced inspiration
- The internal intercostals depress the ribs during forced expiration
- The innermost intercostals aid forced expiration
- The external intercostals are located between each rib
- The intercostal muscles are innervated by the anterior rami of spinal nerves T1-T11

The external intercostals elevate the ribs during forced inspiration
The external intercostal muscles are small muscles located in between each rib, starting at the first rib and extending down to the 11th rib. They are innervated by the anterior rami of spinal nerves T1-T11, and their blood supply comes from the anterior and posterior intercostal arteries.
The function of the external intercostal muscles is to elevate the ribs during forced inspiration. This means that they assist the lungs by raising the ribs and expanding the chest cavity, allowing for the lungs to fill with air each time a person takes a breath in.
The external intercostals play a large role in the respiratory system, but due to their small size, there are several other muscles in the upper body that assist with movements related to rib cage adjustments. For example, the serratus posterior and pectoralis minor muscles assist with raising the upper ribs, and the sternocleidomastoid muscle, which comes from the jaw and crosses over the neck, moves the breastbone upward.
The internal intercostal muscles, on the other hand, function to depress the ribs during forced expiration. They form the middle layer of the intercostal musculature and originate from the costal groove of one rib, inserting to the superior border of the immediate rib below.
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The internal intercostals depress the ribs during forced expiration
The intercostal muscles are a group of intrinsic rib cage muscles that occupy the 11 intercostal spaces. They are divided into three groups: the external intercostals, the internal intercostals, and the innermost intercostals. The internal intercostals form the middle layer of the intercostal musculature. They originate from the costal groove of one rib, course inferolaterally, and insert to the superior border of the immediate rib below. The function of the internal intercostal muscles is to depress the ribs during forced expiration.
The external intercostals are small muscles located in between each rib, starting at the first rib and extending down to the 11th rib. The motions of these muscles assist the lungs by raising the ribs and expanding the chest cavity. This added room in the chest cavity allows the lungs to fill with air each time a person takes a breath in. The external intercostals facilitate forced inspiration.
The internal intercostals, on the other hand, aid forced expiration by depressing the ribs. This means that they help to push air out of the lungs during exhalation. This is particularly important during forced expiration, such as when coughing or sneezing, to ensure that air is expelled from the lungs effectively.
The innermost intercostals are the deepest intercostal muscles. They originate from the costal groove of one rib, posteriorly to the origin of the internal intercostals. They course inferomedially, in the same fashion as the internal intercostals, and insert to the superior border of the immediate rib below. All three groups of muscles support the rib cage and are accessory respiratory muscles that participate in the process of forced breathing.
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The innermost intercostals aid forced expiration
The intercostal muscles are a group of intrinsic rib cage muscles that occupy the 11 intercostal spaces. They are divided into three groups: the external intercostals, the internal intercostals, and the innermost intercostals.
The external intercostals are small muscles located in between each rib, starting at the first rib and extending down to the 11th rib. They facilitate forced inspiration by raising the ribs and expanding the chest cavity, allowing the lungs to fill with air.
The internal intercostals form the middle layer of the intercostal musculature. They originate from the costal groove of one rib and insert to the superior border of the immediate rib below. Their function is to depress the ribs during forced expiration.
The innermost intercostals are the deepest intercostal muscles. They also originate from the costal groove of one rib, posteriorly to the origin of the internal intercostals, and insert to the superior border of the immediate rib below. Like the internal intercostals, the innermost intercostals aid forced expiration. They work together with the internal intercostals to depress the ribs and push air out of the lungs during forced expiration. This is particularly important during activities that require rapid and forceful breathing, such as running or exercising.
The intercostal muscles, including the innermost intercostals, are innervated by the anterior rami of spinal nerves T1-T11, also known as the intercostal nerves of the corresponding intercostal space. Their blood supply comes from the anterior and posterior intercostal arteries, as well as other sources such as the costocervical trunk and internal thoracic arteries. Understanding the anatomy and function of the innermost intercostals is crucial for comprehending the complex mechanics of respiration and the role of accessory respiratory muscles in forced expiration.
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The external intercostals are located between each rib
The external intercostals are small muscles located between each rib, starting at the first rib and extending down to the 11th rib. The function of these muscles is to elevate the ribs during forced inspiration. This motion assists the lungs by raising the ribs and expanding the chest cavity, allowing the lungs to fill with air each time a person takes a breath in. The external intercostals are just one of two sets of intercostal muscles within the rib cage, and they can be found on the surface, just below the skin.
The external intercostals play a large role in the respiratory system, but due to their small size, several other muscles in the upper body assist with movements related to rib cage adjustments. For example, the serratus posterior and pectoralis minor muscles assist with raising the upper ribs, while the sternocleidomastoid muscle, which comes from the jaw and crosses over the neck, moves the breastbone upward. The scalene and latissimus dorsi muscles in the upper back also assist with raising the shoulder blade to add extra space in the rib cage.
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The intercostal muscles are innervated by the anterior rami of spinal nerves T1-T11
The intercostal muscles are a group of intrinsic rib cage muscles that occupy the 11 intercostal spaces between the ribs. They are divided into three groups: the external intercostals, the internal intercostals, and the innermost intercostals. All three groups of muscles support the rib cage and are accessory respiratory muscles that participate in the process of forced breathing. The external intercostals are located on the surface, just below the skin, and provide muscle contractions that assist with inhalation. They elevate the ribs during forced inspiration, raising the ribs and expanding the chest cavity to allow the lungs to fill with air. The internal intercostals form the middle layer of the intercostal musculature and originate from the costal groove of one rib, inserting to the superior border of the immediate rib below. Their function is to depress the ribs during forced expiration. The innermost intercostals are the deepest intercostal muscles. They originate from the costal groove of one rib and insert to the superior border of the rib below.
The function of the intercostal muscles is closely tied to respiration and the movement of the rib cage. The external intercostals facilitate forced inspiration, while the internal and innermost intercostals aid in forced expiration. This coordination of muscle contractions and relaxations allows for the expansion and contraction of the chest cavity, facilitating inhalation and exhalation.
The intercostal muscles work in conjunction with other muscles in the upper body to assist with rib cage adjustments. For example, the serratus posterior and pectoralis minor muscles help with raising the upper ribs, while the sternocleidomastoid muscle, originating from the jaw and crossing over the neck, moves the breastbone upward. Additionally, the scalene and latissimus dorsi muscles in the upper back assist with raising the shoulder blade, providing extra space in the rib cage.
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Frequently asked questions
The internal intercostal muscles depress the ribs during forced expiration.
The external intercostal muscles elevate the ribs during forced inspiration.
The innermost intercostal muscles aid forced expiration.
The intercostal muscles support the rib cage and participate in the process of forced breathing.































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