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The human body is a fascinating machine, with numerous muscles working together to enable movement and vital functions such as breathing. The muscles that elevate the ribs are an essential part of this process, and they include the intercostal muscles, serratus anterior, scalene muscles, sternocleidomastoid muscle, levatores costarum, serratus posterior superior, and quadratus lumborum. These muscles play a crucial role in respiration, working in synchrony to expand and contract the rib cage, facilitating inhalation and exhalation. Understanding the mechanics of these muscles provides valuable insight into the intricate workings of the human body.
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What You'll Learn
The serratus anterior muscle
The serratus anterior acts in concert with the upper and lower fibres of the trapezius muscle to sustain upward rotation of the scapula, which allows for overhead lifting. It is a key scapular stabiliser, keeping the shoulder blades against the rib cage during rest and movement. When the shoulder blade is in a fixed position, the serratus anterior lifts the rib cage and supports breathing.
The innervation of the serratus anterior is supplied by the long thoracic nerve, a branch of the brachial plexus. The long thoracic nerve travels inferiorly on the surface of the serratus anterior muscle.
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The scalene muscles
The middle scalene is the largest and longest of the three scalene muscles. It arises from the posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the lower six cervical vertebrae and inserts into the upper surface of the first rib. The posterior scalene is the smallest and most deeply seated of the scalene muscles. It arises from the posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the last three or four cervical vertebrae and inserts into the outer surface of the second rib.
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The sternocleidomastoid muscle
The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is a powerful neck muscle that allows you to bend your neck and turn or tilt your head. It is the largest muscle in the front of your neck and is located just below your skin on both the right and left sides. The SCM helps to stabilise your neck and maintain your posture, even when you are not moving.
The SCM is a two-headed neck muscle that bears attachments to the manubrium of the sternum (sterno-), the clavicle (-cleido-), and the mastoid process of the temporal bone (-mastoid). The sternal head originates from the manubrium of the sternum, while the clavicular head originates from the medial third of the clavicle. These two heads join into one muscle belly, which inserts onto the lateral surface of the mastoid process of the temporal bone and the lateral half of the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone.
The SCM plays an important role in breathing by working with other neck muscles to lift your breastbone and collarbone when you inhale, creating space for your lungs to take in air. A unilateral contraction of the SCM flexes the cervical vertebral column to the same side and rotates the head to the opposite side. A bilateral contraction, on the other hand, elevates the head by dorsally extending the upper cervical joints while also flexing the lower cervical column, resulting in an overall bending of the neck towards the chest.
Injuries, tension, sprains, strains, atrophy, and tumours can all damage the SCM muscle. Sternocleidomastoid syndrome is a condition involving neck stiffness, pain, and other symptoms that occur when the SCM muscle develops tightened, sensitive areas, or trigger points. Treatment options for SCM issues include massage, osteopathic manipulation, physical therapy, and surgery in severe cases. Managing stress and anxiety, maintaining good posture, and practising neck-sparing sleeping positions can also help prevent SCM issues.
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The serratus posterior superior
The function of the serratus posterior superior is to elevate the ribs during inspiration. It is an accessory muscle of inspiration. Its disproportionate use can result in a condition known as scapulocostal syndrome, characterised by pain and paresthesia along the medial border of the scapula, radiating to the neck, chest, and upper extremities.
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The levatores costarum
Each of the 12 muscle bundles originates from the transverse processes of one vertebra and passes obliquely to insert into the rib one level below. The upper eight muscles travel as single muscular bands from origin to insertion. In contrast, the lower four muscles split into two fasciculi, called longi and breves. The short (breve) fascicle passes from the muscle's origin to attach to the rib immediately below, while the longer (longi) fascicle attaches to the rib located two levels below its origin.
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Frequently asked questions
The intercostal muscles, serratus anterior, scalene muscles, sternocleidomastoid muscle, levatores costarum, serratus posterior superior, and diaphragm all elevate the ribs.
The intercostal muscles are the muscles that link each rib to its neighbours. There are three types: external, internal, and innermost intercostal muscles.
The intercostal muscles change the size of the space inside the rib cage, helping with breathing. The external intercostal muscles help with inhalation, while the internal intercostal muscles help with exhalation.
The diaphragm, scalene muscles, sternocleidomastoid muscle, serratus anterior, and levatores costarum all help with inhalation.
The diaphragm, serratus posterior inferior, and innermost intercostal muscles help with exhalation.
