Intercostal arteries

Intercostal arteries
Intercostal spaces, viewed from the left
Details
VeinIntercostal veins
SuppliesIntercostal muscles and intercostal space
Identifiers
Latinarteriae intercostales
Anatomical terminology

The intercostal arteries are a group of arteries passing within an intercostal space (the space between two adjacent ribs). There are 9 anterior and 11 posterior intercostal arteries on each side of the body. The anterior intercostal arteries are branches of the internal thoracic artery and its terminal branch – the musculophrenic artery. The posterior intercostal arteries are branches of the supreme intercostal artery and thoracic aorta.

Each anterior intercostal artery anastomoses with the corresponding posterior intercostal artery arising from the thoracic aorta.