What Are Intercostal Muscles?
The intercostal muscles are the muscle bands that surround and span between the ribs that alternately lift and compress the rib cage in order to permit respiration. There are two distinct muscle groups that form the intercostal muscles: the external and the internal intercostals. Both are supplied with blood and nerves by structures occupying the intercostal space, namely the thoracic spinal nerves, and the intercostal veins and arteries. These muscles and structures are aptly named since the term “intercostal” is derived from the Latin word costae, which translates to mean ribbed or rib-like.
