intercostal space
Between the ribs
The intercostal space is the gap between adjacent ribs.
Humans have eleven on each side, numbered by the rib above them.
These spaces contain muscles, nerves, and blood vessels.
Medical procedures like chest tube insertion or nerve blocks target specific intercostal spaces: The needle entered the fourth intercostal space.
- visceral pleuraMembrane covering lung surface
- rib cageBony chest enclosure
- ribsThoracic bone set
- pleuraMembrane around lungs
- chestRibcage region or strongbox
mediastinum · thoracotomy · diaphragm · lung · breath sounds · muscle · artery · cavity · respiration · heartbeat · membrane · nerve · needle · parietal pleura · puncture · drain · thoracic · ribcage
- thoraxthorax, chest, ribcage, chest cavity, chest wall