Intercostal artery
Intercostal artery
Intercostal artery (pronunciation: in-ter-kos-tal ar-ter-ee) is a term used in anatomy to refer to a group of arteries that supply the intercostal space, the area between the ribs in the human body.
Etymology
The term "intercostal" is derived from the Latin words "inter", meaning between, and "costa", meaning rib. The term "artery" comes from the Greek word "arteria", which means windpipe or airway, but in medical terms, it refers to the blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.
Description
The intercostal arteries are part of the thoracic circulatory system. They are divided into three groups: the supreme intercostal artery, the posterior intercostal arteries, and the anterior intercostal arteries.
The supreme intercostal artery is the first branch of the costocervical trunk, which is a branch of the subclavian artery. It usually gives rise to the first and second posterior intercostal arteries.
The posterior intercostal arteries are usually nine in number on either side, and are derived from the thoracic aorta, except the first two, which are branches of the supreme intercostal artery.
The anterior intercostal arteries are derived from the internal thoracic artery and its continuation, the musculophrenic artery. They are usually six in number on either side.
Related Terms
- Supreme intercostal artery
- Posterior intercostal arteries
- Anterior intercostal arteries
- Internal thoracic artery
- Musculophrenic artery
- Thoracic aorta
- Costocervical trunk
- Subclavian artery
- Intercostal space
- Ribs
- Thoracic
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Intercostal artery
- Wikipedia's article - Intercostal artery
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