Innermost intercostal muscle

General Information
Latin	Musculus intercostalis intimus
Greek
TA98
TA2
FMA
Details
System
Artery
Vein
Nerve	Intercostal nerves
Lymphatic drainage
Precursor
Function
Identifiers
Clinical significance
Notes

The Innermost Intercostal Muscle (Musculus intercostalis intimus) is a layer of muscle between the ribs (intercostal) that is the deepest of the three layers of intercostal muscles.

Anatomy

The innermost intercostal muscles are found between the ribs and are the deepest layer of the intercostal muscles. They originate from the inferior border of the rib above and insert into the superior border of the rib below. The fibers of the innermost intercostal muscles run in the same direction as those of the internal intercostal muscles.

Section of the thorax showing the arrangement of the intercostal muscles.

Function

The primary function of the innermost intercostal muscles is to depress the ribs, which decreases the transverse dimensions of the thoracic cavity during forced expiration.

Clinical significance

Damage to the innermost intercostal muscles can result in difficulty breathing and pain during respiration.

See also

• Intercostal muscles
• Intercostal nerves
• Intercostal arteries