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Intercostal muscles are intrinsic rib cage muscles that occupy the 11 intercostal spaces between the ribs. They are divided into three groups: external, internal, and innermost intercostals. The external intercostals are the outermost layer and help with inhalation. The internal intercostals are responsible for depressing the ribs and bending them inward, aiding in exhalation. The innermost intercostals are the deepest layer and assist the other two layers. Intercostal muscle strains can occur due to overexertion, trauma, or injury, causing pain, tenderness, inflammation, and difficulty breathing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Within the rib cage, between the ribs |
| Number of Layers | 3 |
| Layer 1 | External intercostals (most superficial layer) |
| Layer 2 | Internal intercostals (intermediate layer) |
| Layer 3 | Innermost intercostals (deepest layer) |
| Function | Help form and move the chest wall, aiding in the mechanical aspect of breathing |
| Blood Supply | Anterior and posterior intercostal arteries, costocervical trunk, internal thoracic arteries, and musculophrenic arteries |
| Innervation | Intercostal nerves (the ventral rami of thoracic spinal nerves) |
| Veins | Intercostal veins |
| Strain Causes | Weakened muscles, overexertion, direct trauma, repetitive torso twisting |
| Strain Symptoms | Worsening pain, difficulty breathing, tenderness, inflammation, stiffness, muscle rigidity |
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What You'll Learn
Intercostal muscles are present within the rib cage
The external intercostal muscles, also known as intercostalis externus, form the outermost layer of the intercostal muscles. They originate from the lower border of one rib and insert into the upper border of the rib below, running obliquely. During inhalation, these muscles contract and elevate the ribs, expanding the chest cavity. The muscle fibres are directed downwards, forwards, and medially in the anterior part, taking the opposite path by going downward and outward when viewed from the back.
The internal intercostal muscles, or intercostalis internus, form the intermediate layer of the intercostal musculature. They originate from the costal groove near the inferior border of the rib above and insert into the upper border of the rib below. These muscles are responsible for depressing the ribs and bending them inward, reducing the thoracic cavity volume during forced expiration. Their muscle fibres are directed downwards, forwards, and laterally, forming a right angle with the external intercostal muscle fibres.
The innermost intercostal muscles, also referred to as intercostalis intimus, are the deepest layer of the intercostal muscles. They cross more than one intercostal space and assist the internal and external intercostals in their functions. These muscles are deep layers of the internal intercostal muscles, separated by a neurovascular bundle, and their muscle fibres follow the same direction as the intercostalis internus.
Intercostal muscle strains can occur due to overexertion, trauma, or injury, resulting in symptoms such as pain, tenderness, inflammation, and difficulty breathing. Treatment options include rest, ice packs, pain medications, and breathing exercises under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
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They aid in the mechanical aspect of breathing
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. These muscles are primarily responsible for changing the volume of the thoracic cavity during respiration and are, therefore, essential for breathing.
The external intercostal muscles, also known as intercostalis externus, aid in quiet and forced inhalation. They originate on ribs 1–11 and insert on ribs 2–12. During inspiration, the external intercostals contract and raise the lateral part of the ribs, bending them outward and expanding the transverse dimensions of the thoracic cavity. This increases the volume of the chest cavity, allowing for inhalation.
The internal intercostal muscles, or intercostalis internus, aid in forced expiration. They originate on ribs 2–12 and insert on ribs 1–11. These muscles depress the ribs, bending them inward and decreasing the transverse dimensions of the thoracic cavity. This contraction of the internal intercostals reduces the volume of the chest cavity, facilitating exhalation.
The innermost intercostal muscles, also referred to as intercostalis intimus, are the deepest layer of the intercostal musculature. They cross more than one intercostal space and assist the external and internal intercostals in their functions. The innermost intercostals help fine-tune the volume of the thoracic cavity, ensuring precise control over inhalation and exhalation.
Together, the external, internal, and innermost intercostal muscles work in a coordinated manner to aid in the mechanical aspect of breathing. They adjust the volume of the thoracic cavity, allowing for inhalation and exhalation. This mechanical function is crucial for proper respiration, and any strain or injury to these muscles can significantly impact breathing patterns.
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Intercostal muscles are divided into three layers
The intercostal muscles are a group of intrinsic rib cage muscles that occupy the 11 intercostal spaces between the ribs. They are involved in the mechanical aspect of breathing by helping to expand and contract the chest cavity. These muscles are divided into three layers, namely:
External Intercostal Muscles
Also known as the intercostalis externus, the external intercostal muscles aid in quiet and forced inhalation. They originate from the inferior border of one rib and insert into the superior border of the rib below. They are responsible for the elevation of the ribs and bending them more open, thus expanding the chest cavity. The muscle fibres are directed downwards, forwards, and medially in the anterior part. They are the most superficial layer of the intercostal muscles.
Internal Intercostal Muscles
The internal intercostal muscles, or intercostalis internus, form the middle layer of the intercostal musculature. They originate from the costal groove of one rib and insert into the superior border of the rib below. They are responsible for depressing the ribs and bending them inward, thus decreasing the size of the chest cavity during forced exhalation. The muscle fibres are directed downwards, forwards, and laterally, forming a right angle with the external intercostal muscles.
Innermost Intercostal Muscles
The innermost intercostal muscles, also known as the intercostalis intimus, are the deepest layer of the intercostal muscles. They cross more than one intercostal space and assist the external and internal intercostals in their functions. They are deep layers of the internal intercostal muscles, separated from them by a neurovascular bundle. Their muscle fibres are directed downwards, forwards, and laterally, similar to the intercostalis internus muscle.
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Strains are caused by overexertion or injury
Intercostal muscles are those that are present within the rib cage. They comprise three layers of muscles: external, internal, and innermost. These muscles combine to fill the space between the ribs and help form and move the chest wall. The external intercostal muscles aid in inhalation, while the internal intercostal muscles aid in forced expiration.
The symptoms and severity of muscle strains vary. A mild strain, or Grade I strain, involves stretched and pulled muscles with minor damage but no tear. This is the most common type of strain. A moderate strain, or Grade II, involves a partial tear of the muscle, affecting muscle strength and range of motion. A severe strain, or Grade III, involves a complete tear of the muscle, which may require surgery to repair. Most muscle strains do not require surgery and will heal on their own with rest and time.
Intercostal muscle strains specifically can be caused by weakened muscles, overexertion, direct trauma such as a fall or car accident, or a blow from contact sports. They can also be caused by twisting the torso, such as through certain sports or activities like tennis, golf, dancing, or yoga. Symptoms of intercostal muscle strain include difficulty breathing, with short and shallow breathing patterns to avoid pain, and tenderness of the affected muscles and adjacent ribs. Inflammation may also be present, with swelling and increased sensitivity in the affected area.
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Deficient intercostal muscles can lead to respiratory insufficiency
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 intercostal muscles. The external intercostals are the outermost layer and lie directly under the skin, originating from the lower border of the rib above and inserting into the upper border of the rib below. They expand the chest wall and facilitate forced inspiration during inhalation. The internal intercostals, on the other hand, originate from the costal groove near the inferior border of the rib above and connect to the upper border of the rib below. They help collapse the lungs during forced expiration. The innermost intercostal muscles cross more than one intercostal space and assist the internal and external intercostals in their respective functions.
Secondly, intercostal muscle strain can cause inflammation and tenderness in the affected area. The resulting pain can worsen with coughing, sneezing, or deep breathing, further discouraging normal respiratory function. The inflammation may also lead to swelling, which, in rare cases, can cause a blood clot and result in a hematoma.
Additionally, deficient intercostal muscles can lead to respiratory insufficiency by impairing the ability to forcefully exhale. The internal and innermost intercostal muscles are responsible for depressing the ribs and bending them inward during forced expiration. If these muscles are not functioning optimally, the lungs may not fully deflate, leading to residual air buildup and compromised lung capacity over time.
Moreover, intercostal muscle weakness or strain can result from overexertion, direct trauma, or repetitive torso twisting. In such cases, the ribs can be forced to move apart suddenly, causing the intercostal muscles to stretch or tear. This can lead to difficulty in breathing due to pain and restricted rib movement, ultimately contributing to respiratory insufficiency. Therefore, it is essential to maintain the health and integrity of the intercostal muscles to ensure optimal respiratory function.
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Frequently asked questions
Intercostal muscles are groups of intrinsic rib cage muscles that run between the ribs and help form and move the chest wall.
There are three types of intercostal muscles: external, internal, and innermost.
Intercostal muscles are primarily responsible for changing the volume of the thoracic cavity during respiration. They also support the rib cage and participate in the process of forced breathing.
Symptoms of intercostal muscle strain include gradual worsening pain after repetitive movement, stiffness and tension in muscles, muscle rigidity when bending or twisting the upper body, and worsening pain when coughing, sneezing, or breathing deeply.
Treatment for intercostal muscle strain may include resting, applying ice, and taking pain medications to reduce swelling and pain. In some cases, physical therapy and breathing exercises may be recommended to help strengthen the intercostal muscles.
