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Muscles lifting the ribs
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
The muscles lifting the ribs (mm. Levatores costarum) are divided into short and long. Short muscles occupy the posterior segments of the intercostal spaces medially from the outer intercostal muscles. They begin with separate bundles on the transverse processes of the VII cervical, I and II thoracic vertebrae, pass downward, laterally and attach to the underlying rib. The long muscles that raise the ribs begin on the transverse processes of VII-X thoracic vertebrae, swing over the underlying rib and attach to the next rib, medially from its angle.
Function: lift the ribs, promote the expansion of the chest.
Innervation: intercostal nerves (CIII-ThI-X).
Blood supply: posterior intercostal arteries.
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