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The muscles that lift the ribs
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
The muscles that raise the ribs (mm. levatores costarum) are divided into short and long. The short muscles occupy the posterior sections of the intercostal spaces medially from the external intercostal muscles. They begin as separate bundles on the transverse processes of the 7th cervical, 1st and 2nd thoracic vertebrae, pass downwards, laterally and are attached to the underlying rib. The long muscles that raise the ribs begin on the transverse processes of the 7th-10th thoracic vertebrae, are thrown over the underlying rib and are attached to the next rib, medially from its angle.
Function: raises the ribs, promotes expansion of the chest.
Innervation: intercostal nerves (CIII-ThI-X).
Blood supply: posterior intercostal arteries.
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