Intercostal Space, Muscles and Nerves

Question 1

What must the paired intercostal spaces each contain?

Answer 1

3 layers of intercostal muscles
An intercostal nerve
Posterior intercostal artery and vein
Anterior intercostal artery and vein

Question 2

What does the number of each intercostal space accord with?

Answer 2

Accords with the number of the rib lying superior to it.

Question 3

What can upper limb and back muscles which have attachment to the ribs act as?

Answer 3

Accessory respiratory muscles during forces inspiration and expiration.

Question 4

When might accessory respiratory muscles be used?

Answer 4

Forced inspiration and expiration.

Question 5

What are the layers of intercostal muscles in each intercostal space called?

Answer 5

External
Internal
Intimal/innermost

Question 6

What is the most superficial intercostal muscle in each intercostal space called?

Answer 6

External intercostal muscle.

Question 7

What is the intermediate intercostal muscle in each intercostal space called?

Answer 7

Internal intercostal muscle.

Question 8

What is the deepest intercostal muscle in each intercostal space called?

Answer 8

Intimal/innermost intercostal muscle.

Question 9

Where is the neuromuscular bundle located?

Answer 9

Between the internal and intimal intercostal muscles.

Question 10

What is located between the internal and intimal intercostal muscles?

Answer 10

Neuromuscular bundle.

Question 11

In what order is the neuromuscular bundle comprised?

Answer 11

VAN (Vein, artery, nerve) from superior to inferior.

Question 12

What are the most superior and inferior aspects of the neuromuscular bundle?

Answer 12

Vein is most superior, nerve is most inferior.

Question 13

What acts as an indent to protect the function of the neuromuscular bundle?

Answer 13

Costal groove.

Question 14

What does the costal groove do?

Answer 14

Acts as an indent to protect the function of the neuromuscular bundle.

Question 15

Do the external and internal intercostal muscles occupy the entire length of the intercostal space?

Answer 15

No- they become aponeurotic at one end called the intercostal membrane.

Question 16

How do the external and internal intercostal muscles form the intercostal membrane?

Answer 16

Become aponeurotic at one end when they don’t occupy the entire length of the intercostal space.

Question 17

How much of the intercostal space do the innermost intercostal muscles fill?

Answer 17

The central half - the other half is completed anteriorly by the transverses thoracic muscles and subcostalis muscles posteriorly.

Question 18

What is the rest of the intercostal space filled with anteriorly?

Answer 18

Transversus thoracis muscles.

Question 19

What is the rest of the intercostal muscle filled with posteriorly?

Answer 19

Subcostalis muscles.

Question 20

What is the function of the intercostal muscles?

Answer 20

Contribute to respiratory movements and assist in preventing the lungs and pleura from ballooning out during these movements.

Question 21

What does each structure forming the intercostal neurovascular bundle in a particular intercostal space form?

Answer 21

Gives off a small collateral branch which is located just above the top of each rib.

Question 22

What is given off from each structure forming the intercostal neuromuscular bundle?

Answer 22

Small collateral branches located just above the top of each rib.

Question 23

Where are the small collateral branches located?

Answer 23

Just above the top of each rib.

Question 24

What is the normal position of a chest drain?

Answer 24

5th intercostal space in the midaxillary line.

Question 25

Where must a chest drain needle be inserted?

Answer 25

Inserted in between 2 ribs at an oblique angle in order to avoid the damage of neuromuscular structures.

Question 26

Why must a chest drain needle be inserted in between 2 ribs at an oblique angle?

Answer 26

To avoid the damage of neurovascular structures.

Question 27

What layer should a chest drain needle not enter?

Answer 27

Should not enter the visceral pleural layer.