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The intercostal muscles are the muscles that link the ribs together and are responsible for breathing. They are part of the rib cage and link each rib to its neighbour. These muscles work in sets, expanding and shrinking the space inside the rib cage. They are made up of three layers of muscles: external, internal, and innermost. Intercostal muscles can be strained through overexertion, direct trauma, or twisting the torso.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Between the ribs |
| Function | Expand and shrink the rib cage to facilitate breathing |
| Layers | External, Internal, Innermost |
| Attachments | Originates from the inferior surface of the lower ribs and attaches to the superior border of the second or third rib below |
| Innervation | Intercostal nerves (T1-T11) |
| Blood Vessels | Supplied by intercostal arteries and drained by intercostal veins |
| Injuries | Strain, tear, or bruise due to trauma, overexertion, or repetitive twisting |
| Symptoms of Injury | Pain, muscle tension and stiffness, difficulty breathing, inflammation, tenderness |
| Treatment | Rest, cold and heat therapy, OTC pain medications, PT, muscle relaxants, injectable medications |
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What You'll Learn
Intercostal muscles and their role in breathing
The intercostal muscles are a group of muscles located between the ribs, and they play a crucial role in the respiratory process. These muscles are found in the thoracic region of the body, extending from the sternum, or breastbone, laterally to the rib cage. There are two sets of intercostal muscles: the external intercostal muscles and the internal intercostal muscles. These muscles work together to facilitate inhalation and exhalation, ensuring that the lungs receive adequate oxygen and expel carbon dioxide efficiently.
The external intercostal muscles are attached to the outer surfaces of the ribs and are responsible for the expansion and contraction of the rib cage during breathing. When these muscles contract, they pull the ribs upward and outward, causing the chest to expand and creating a vacuum-like effect in the lungs. This expansion increases the volume of the thoracic cavity, resulting in air rushing into the lungs to equalize the pressure. This process is known as inhalation or inspiration.
The internal intercostal muscles, on the other hand, are attached to the inner surfaces of the ribs. These muscles are active during exhalation, or expiration. When they contract, they pull the ribs downward and inward, reducing the volume of the thoracic cavity and causing the chest to decrease in size. This contraction increases the pressure inside the lungs, forcing air out and expelling carbon dioxide from the body.
In addition to their role in breathing, the intercostal muscles also provide structural support to the rib cage and protect the vital organs located within the thoracic cavity. They work in conjunction with other respiratory muscles, such as the diaphragm, to ensure efficient ventilation of the lungs. The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle located below the lungs that contracts during inhalation, creating a negative pressure that draws air into the lungs, and relaxes during exhalation, allowing the lungs to expel air.
It is important to maintain the health and strength of the intercostal muscles, as they play a vital role in respiratory function. Certain breathing exercises and physical activities can help improve the endurance and strength of these muscles, optimizing their performance and potentially enhancing athletic performance or respiratory conditions. Consulting with a healthcare professional or a respiratory therapist can provide personalized guidance on exercises and techniques to benefit individuals seeking to improve their respiratory health and optimize the function of their intercostal muscles.
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External, internal and innermost intercostal muscles
The intercostal muscles are the muscles between the ribs, with the external intercostals at the front, the internals in the middle, and the innermost at the back. They are accessory respiratory muscles that participate in the process of forced breathing. They work in sets, with their flexing action making the rib cage expand or shrink.
The external intercostals are the most superficial intercostal muscles. They originate from the inferior border of one rib and insert into the superior border of the rib below. They are innervated by the intercostal nerves of the corresponding intercostal space. Their function is to elevate the ribs during forced inspiration.
The internal intercostals lie deep to the external intercostals. They extend from the rib above to the one below, but in the opposite direction to the external intercostals (inferoposteriorly). They originate from the lateral edge of the costal groove and insert onto the superior surface of the rib below. They are continuous with the internal oblique muscle of the abdominal wall. The internal intercostals stabilise the position of the ribs during normal respiration. They also depress the ribs and decrease the thoracic volume during forced expiration.
The innermost intercostals are the deepest intercostal muscles. They originate from the medial aspect of the costal groove of one rib and insert into the internal aspect of the rib below. They are similar in structure to the internal intercostals, but are separated from them by the intercostal neurovascular bundle. They are found in the most lateral portion of the intercostal spaces.
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Intercostal muscle strain
Intercostal muscles are those that are present within the rib cage. They link each rib to its neighbours, allowing the rib cage to expand and contract during breathing. There are three layers of intercostal muscles: external, internal, and innermost. The external intercostal muscles are the outermost layer, lying directly under the skin. The internal intercostal muscles lie deep to the external intercostal muscles. The innermost intercostal muscles are the deepest layer and are similar in structure to the internal intercostal muscles.
Symptoms of intercostal muscle strain include sharp, direct pain; stiffness; and mobility difficulties. Pain from intercostal muscle strain can increase with coughing, sneezing, or breathing deeply. Other symptoms include swelling, tenderness, and bruising in the area where the muscle is strained. In rare cases, swelling of the intercostal muscles can lead to a blood clot around the muscle, causing a hematoma.
Diagnosis of intercostal muscle strain involves a physical examination to check for limitations of movement and assess areas of tenderness. Imaging tests such as X-rays or MRIs may also be ordered to rule out other possible causes of the pain, such as a rib fracture or internal organ injury.
Treatment for intercostal muscle strain depends on the severity of the injury. Home treatment may be sufficient for mild injuries, including applying ice packs followed by heat therapy, and resting for a few days to allow the muscle strain to recover. Over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help reduce pain and swelling. For more severe injuries, medical attention may be required, including physical therapy or, in the case of a complete muscle tear, surgery and physical rehabilitation.
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Intercostal nerves, arteries and veins
The intercostal nerves, arteries, and veins are found within the intercostal spaces, or the gaps between the ribs. The intercostal nerves originate from the anterior rami of the thoracic spinal nerves, specifically from T1 to T11. These nerves run alongside the intercostal vessels, with the intercostal nerve typically lying inferior to the intercostal artery, while the intercostal vein is positioned superior to the artery.
The intercostal nerves can be categorised into two groups: typical and atypical intercostal nerves. The typical intercostal nerves, including IC3 to IC6, remain within their respective intercostal spaces. In contrast, the atypical intercostal nerves, comprising IC1, IC2, and IC7 to IC11, extend beyond the thoracic wall to supply other regions. The intercostal nerves play a crucial role in muscle contraction and transmitting sensory information from the skin and parietal pleura.
The intercostal arteries are responsible for supplying blood to the intercostal muscles and other structures in the thoracic region. There are 9 anterior and 11 posterior intercostal arteries on each side of the body. The anterior intercostal arteries are branches of the internal thoracic artery, while the posterior intercostal arteries arise from the supreme intercostal artery and thoracic aorta.
The intercostal veins, along with the intercostal arteries, accompany the intercostal nerves in the intercostal spaces. These veins are responsible for draining the blood from the intercostal muscles and surrounding areas, facilitating the circulation of blood back to the heart.
The intercostal muscles are the muscles found between the ribs. They are responsible for expanding and shrinking the rib cage during breathing. There are three types of intercostal muscles: external, internal, and innermost. The external intercostal muscles are the outermost layer and play a primary role in inhalation. The internal intercostal muscles are located behind the external intercostal muscles and contribute mainly to exhalation. The innermost intercostal muscles are the deepest layer and assist the other two layers during breathing.
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The rib cage's function and structure
The rib cage, or thoracic cage, is a basket-like skeletal structure that forms the chest, or thorax. It is both solid and flexible, consisting of 37 bones and 98 joints that help the bones move with the body. The rib cage surrounds the lungs and heart, providing protection for these vital organs.
The rib cage is made up of 12 pairs of ribs, with 24 ribs in total. The first seven pairs of ribs are attached to the sternum (breastbone) by pliable costal cartilages and are called 'true ribs'. The remaining five pairs of ribs are called 'false ribs'. The first three pairs of false ribs have their costal cartilages connected to the cartilage above them, while the last two pairs, known as 'floating ribs', end within the abdominal muscles.
The rib cage also includes the 12 thoracic vertebrae, which are connected to the ribs and allow for a gliding motion during breathing and other activities. The configuration of the lower five ribs gives freedom for the expansion of the lower part of the rib cage and the movements of the diaphragm.
The intercostal muscles are the muscles between the ribs that allow the rib cage to expand and shrink during breathing. There are three types of intercostal muscles: external, internal, and innermost. The external intercostal muscles help with inhaling, while the internal intercostal muscles assist with exhaling. The innermost intercostal muscles support the internal intercostal muscles during exhalation.
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Frequently asked questions
Intercostal muscles are the muscles that are present within the rib cage. They are made up of three layers of muscles: external, internal, and innermost. They fill the space between the ribs and help with breathing by changing the size of the chest cavity.
The external intercostal muscles are the outermost layer and they aid in inhalation by expanding the chest cavity. The internal intercostal muscles are the intermediate layer and they help with exhalation by collapsing the lungs. The innermost intercostal muscles are deep layers that assist the internal and external intercostals in their function.
An intercostal muscle strain is an injury that affects the muscles between two or more ribs. It is caused by trauma, overexertion, or a sudden increase in physical activity. Symptoms include sudden severe pain, muscle tension and stiffness, worsening pain over time, difficulty breathing, and inflammation.
Treatment for an intercostal muscle strain may include cold and heat therapy, rest, and over-the-counter pain medications. In some cases, physical therapy, muscle relaxants, or injectable medications may be required. It is important to see a doctor if rib pain from a minor injury does not go away within a few days.
