Intercostal muscles
The intercostal muscles are an important group of muscles in the intercostal spaces (between the ribs) that contract during respiration. Three muscles are classically described, from superficial to deep:
The following two muscles can also be considered part of this group:
Related Radiopaedia articles
Anatomy: Thoracic
- thoracic skeleton
- thoracic cage
- thoracic spine
- articulations
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- diaphragm
- intercostal space
- intercostal muscles
- variant anatomy
- spaces of the thorax
- thoracic viscera
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lungs
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bronchopulmonary segmental anatomy (Boyden Classification) (mnemonic)
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bronchopulmonary segmental anatomy (Boyden Classification) (mnemonic)
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heart
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pericardium
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pericardial recesses
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thoracic aorta (development)
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- innervation of the thorax