Medical expert of the article
New publications
Muscles lifting the ribs
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
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.
[What do need to examine?
How to examine?