Anatomy study note · Thorax

Intercostal arteries

Each intercostal space has one large posterior intercostal artery and two small anterior intercostal arteries, which join near the costochondral junctions.

Key points

• 1 posterior + 2 anterior arteries per space.
• Posterior: spaces 1–2 superior intercostal; 3–11 aorta.
• Anterior: spaces 1–6 internal thoracic; lower musculophrenic.
• Anastomose near costochondral junctions → collateral in coarctation.
• Intercostal arteries: intersegmental, opposite the vertebral bodies.
• Artery: intima / media (smooth muscle) / adventitia.
• Most named arteries are muscular; aorta is elastic.

The full note in the atlas also covers

Features · Histology · Development · Clinical notes

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Written from

• Snell’s Clinical Anatomy by Regions, 10th ed., ch. 4, PDF pp. 511–513
• Inderbir Singh’s Human Embryology, ch. 10, PDF p. 136; ch. 15, PDF p. 256
• BRS Cell Biology & Histology, 7th ed., ch. 11, PDF pp. 197–199

More from the thorax

• Intercostal muscles
• Intercostal nerves
• Internal thoracic artery
• Internal thoracic vein
• Interventricular septum
• Joints of the ribs
• Left atrium
• Left coronary artery
• Left ventricle
• Levatores costarum
• Lung
• Lymph nodes of the thoracic wall

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