Intercostal arteries: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 11:58, 15 February 2025

Intercostal arteries[edit]

Diagram of the intercostal arteries and their branches.

The intercostal arteries are a group of arteries that supply blood to the area between the ribs, known as the intercostal space. These arteries are crucial for providing oxygenated blood to the muscles and tissues of the thoracic wall.

Anatomy[edit]

The intercostal arteries are divided into two main groups: the posterior intercostal arteries and the anterior intercostal arteries.

Posterior intercostal arteries[edit]

The posterior intercostal arteries originate from the thoracic aorta. There are typically eleven pairs of posterior intercostal arteries, each corresponding to an intercostal space. The first two posterior intercostal arteries arise from the supreme intercostal artery, a branch of the costocervical trunk of the subclavian artery.

Anterior intercostal arteries[edit]

The anterior intercostal arteries are branches of the internal thoracic artery, which is a branch of the subclavian artery. These arteries supply the anterior portions of the intercostal spaces and anastomose with the posterior intercostal arteries.

Function[edit]

The primary function of the intercostal arteries is to supply blood to the intercostal muscles, the overlying skin, and the parietal pleura. They play a vital role in the respiratory system by ensuring that the muscles involved in breathing receive adequate blood supply.

Clinical significance[edit]

Damage or blockage of the intercostal arteries can lead to complications such as ischemia of the intercostal muscles or thoracic wall pain. Surgical procedures involving the thoracic cavity must take care to avoid damaging these arteries.

Related pages[edit]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Intercostal arteries''' are a group of arteries that supply the area between the ribs ("intercostal" space). The term "intercostal" is derived from the Latin "inter" (between) and "costa" (rib).
+{{DISPLAYTITLE:Intercostal arteries}}
-== Anatomy ==
+==Intercostal arteries==
+[[File:Gray530.png|thumb|right|Diagram of the intercostal arteries and their branches.]]
+The '''intercostal arteries''' are a group of arteries that supply blood to the area between the ribs, known as the [[intercostal space]]. These arteries are crucial for providing oxygenated blood to the muscles and tissues of the thoracic wall.
-The intercostal arteries are divided into three groups: the supreme intercostal artery, the posterior intercostal arteries, and the anterior intercostal arteries.
+==Anatomy==
+The intercostal arteries are divided into two main groups: the [[posterior intercostal arteries]] and the [[anterior intercostal arteries]].
-* The '''[[Supreme intercostal artery]]''' is a branch of the [[costocervical trunk]], which is itself a branch of the [[subclavian artery]]. It usually gives rise to the first and second posterior intercostal arteries.
+===Posterior intercostal arteries===
+The posterior intercostal arteries originate from the [[thoracic aorta]]. There are typically eleven pairs of posterior intercostal arteries, each corresponding to an intercostal space. The first two posterior intercostal arteries arise from the [[supreme intercostal artery]], a branch of the [[costocervical trunk]] of the [[subclavian artery]].
-* 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.
+===Anterior intercostal arteries===
+The anterior intercostal arteries are branches of the [[internal thoracic artery]], which is a branch of the subclavian artery. These arteries supply the anterior portions of the intercostal spaces and anastomose with the posterior intercostal arteries.
-* The '''[[Anterior intercostal arteries]]''' are derived from the [[internal thoracic artery]] and its continuation, the [[musculophrenic artery]].
+==Function==
+The primary function of the intercostal arteries is to supply blood to the intercostal muscles, the overlying skin, and the parietal pleura. They play a vital role in the [[respiratory system]] by ensuring that the muscles involved in breathing receive adequate blood supply.
-== Function ==
+==Clinical significance==
+Damage or blockage of the intercostal arteries can lead to complications such as [[ischemia]] of the intercostal muscles or [[thoracic wall]] pain. Surgical procedures involving the thoracic cavity must take care to avoid damaging these arteries.
-The intercostal arteries, along with the [[intercostal veins]] and [[intercostal nerves]], run in the subcostal groove located at the lower edge of each rib, supplying blood to and draining blood from the intercostal muscles and the overlying skin and [[parietal pleura]].
+==Related pages==
+* [[Thoracic aorta]]
-== Clinical significance ==
+* [[Internal thoracic artery]]
+* [[Respiratory system]]
-Damage to the intercostal arteries can result in significant bleeding, as these arteries are relatively large and have high blood flow. This can occur due to trauma, surgical procedures involving the chest wall, or certain medical conditions such as an [[aortic dissection]].
-== See also ==
-* [[Intercostal space]]
-* [[Intercostal muscles]]
-* [[Intercostal veins]]
-* [[Intercostal nerves]]
-== References ==
-<references />
 [[Category:Arteries of the thorax]]
-{{stub}}