View source for Intercostal space

{{Short description|Anatomic space between two ribs}}
{{Use American English|date = January 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = January 2019}}
{{Infobox anatomy
| Name        = Intercostal space
| Latin       = spatium intercostale
| Image       = Gray530.png
| Caption     = Intercostal spaces, viewed from the right.
| Image2      = Gray315.png
| Caption2    = Sternocostal and interchondral articulations. Anterior view.
| System      =
}}
The '''intercostal space''' ('''ICS''') is the [[spatium|anatomic space]] between two [[Rib cage|ribs]] (Lat. costa). Since there are 12 ribs on each side, there are 11 intercostal spaces, each numbered for the rib superior to it.<ref>Troyer, A. D., Kelly, S., Macklem, P. T., & Zin, W. A. (1985). Mechanics of intercostal space and actions of external and internal intercostal muscles. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 75(3), 850-857. doi:10.1172/jci111782</ref>

== Structures in intercostal space ==

* several kinds of [[intercostal muscle]]
* [[intercostal arteries]] and [[intercostal veins]]
* [[intercostal lymph nodes]]
* [[intercostal nerves]]

== Order of components ==

=== Muscles ===
There are 3 [[Muscular layer|muscular layers]] in each intercostal space, consisting of the [[External intercostal muscles|external intercostal muscle]], the [[Internal intercostal muscles|internal intercostal muscle]], and the thinner [[innermost intercostal muscle]].<ref name=":0">{{Citation|last=Jacob|first=S.|title=Chapter 3 - Thorax|date=2008-01-01|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780443103735500063|work=Human Anatomy|pages=51–70|editor-last=Jacob|editor-first=S.|publisher=Churchill Livingstone|language=en|doi=10.1016/b978-0-443-10373-5.50006-3|isbn=978-0-443-10373-5|access-date=2020-11-16|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Citation|last=Rakovich|first=George|title=8 - Thoracic Surgical Anatomy and Procedures|date=2010-01-01|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9781416039938000088|work=Medical Management of the Thoracic Surgery Patient|pages=95–105|editor-last=Lewis|editor-first=Michael I.|place=Philadelphia|publisher=W.B. Saunders|language=en|doi=10.1016/b978-1-4160-3993-8.00008-8|isbn=978-1-4160-3993-8|access-date=2020-11-16|last2=Fréchette|first2=Éric|last3=Deslauriers|first3=Jean|editor2-last=McKenna|editor2-first=Robert J.|editor3-last=Falk|editor3-first=Jeremy A.|editor4-last=Chaux|editor4-first=George E.|url-access=subscription}}</ref> These muscles help to move the ribs during [[breathing]].<ref>{{Citation|last=Watkins|first=James|title=CHAPTER 3 - The skeleton|date=2009-01-01|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780702030321000032|work=The Pocket Podiatry Guide: Functional Anatomy|pages=67–105|editor-last=Watkins|editor-first=James|place=Edinburgh|publisher=Churchill Livingstone|language=en|doi=10.1016/b978-0-7020-3032-1.00003-2|isbn=978-0-7020-3032-1|access-date=2020-11-16|last2=Mathieson|first2=Ian|editor2-last=Mathieson|editor2-first=Ian|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

=== Neurovascular bundles ===
Neurovascular bundles are located between the internal intercostal muscle and the innermost intercostal muscle.<ref name=":1" /> The [[neurovascular bundle]] has a strict order of [[Intercostal veins|vein]]-[[Intercostal arteries|artery]]-[[Intercostal nerves|nerve]] (VAN), from top to bottom.<ref name=":0" /> This neurovascular bundle runs high in the intercostal space, and the smaller collateral neurovascular bundle runs just superior to the lower rib of the space (in the order NAV from superior to inferior). Invasive procedures such as [[thoracentesis]] are performed with oblique entry of the instrument, directly above the upper margin of the relevant rib, to avoid damaging the neurovascular bundles.<ref name=":0" />

==== Nerves ====
In reference to the muscles of the [[thoracic wall]], the intercostal nerves and vessels run posterior to the internal intercostal muscles: therefore, they are generally covered on the inside by the parietal [[pleura]], except when they are covered by the innermost intercostal muscles, innermost intercostal membrane, [[subcostal muscles]] or the [[transversus thoracis muscle]].

== References ==
<references />

== External links ==

* {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|18|04|00}} - "Structural organization within an intercostal space."
* {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|18|01|01|08}} - "Thoracic Wall: The Anterior Thoracic Wall"

{{Bones of torso}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Thorax (human anatomy)]]

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