The motions of these muscles assist the lungs by raising the ribs and expanding the chest cavity.
Anatomy
There are two sets of intercostal muscles within the rib cage.
Internal intercostals can be found in the layer of muscles directly below the external intercostals.
Internal intercostals assist with exhalation and moving the ribs and chest cavity back to their original position.
These muscles combine to fill in the space between each rib and provide support for the respiratory system.
This location allows the external intercostals to lift the ribs upward and spread them apart.
These motions make space for the lungs to expand with the air the intercostals helped bring to the body.
The health and functioning of the spine is also dependent on appropriate contraction of the intercostal muscles.
This interaction is largely due to how each rib wraps around the body and ends near the spine.
External intercostals receive nerve signals from the intercostal nerves, which stem from the spinal cord.
Each external intercostal muscle is supplied with blood from three major arteries.
The external intercostals play a large role in the respiratory system.
Serratus posterior and pectoralis minor muscles assist with raising the upper ribs.
Someone with strained external intercostals will experience sharp pain to the upper back and ribs.
This pain will worsen with coughing, sneezing, and breathing deeply.
This will cause a persons ribs to be tender with the possibility of spasming external intercostals.
Doctors can diagnosestrained intercostal musclesthrough a physical exam.
Doctors may recommend muscle relaxers for individuals who are experiencing spasms of the intercostal muscles.
If swelling and pain persists after five to seven weeks, doctors may use anti-inflammatory injections as second-line treatments.
Therapy for this bang out of injury often focuses on pain management with the integration of strengthening programs.
These strengthening programs willimprove posture, build endurance levels, and improve a persons breathing patterns.
This rehabilitation will also serve to prevent future injuries to the external intercostal muscles.
Donley ER, Loyd JW.Anatomy, thorax, wall movements.
Tran H.Upper back pain from intercostal muscle strain.Spine-Health.
