Transversus thoracis muscle
This article includes a improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (May 2015) ) |
Transversus thoracis muscle | |
---|---|
costal cartilages 2-6 | |
Artery | Intercostal arteries |
Nerve | Intercostal nerves |
Actions | Depresses ribs |
Identifiers | |
Latin | musculus transversus thoracis |
TA98 | A04.4.01.016 |
TA2 | 2315 |
FMA | 9760 |
Anatomical terms of muscle] |
The transversus thoracis muscle (
Structure
It arises on either side from the lower third of the posterior surface of the body of the
Its fibers diverge upward and lateralward, to be inserted by slips into the lower borders and inner surfaces of the costal cartilages of the
The lowest fibers of this muscle are horizontal in their direction, and are continuous with those of the
This muscle varies in its attachments, not only in different subjects, but on opposite sides of the same subject.
The muscle is supplied by the anterior rami of the
Function
It is almost completely without function, but it separates the thoracic cage from the
Contraction of this muscle aids in exertional expiration by decreasing the transverse diameter of the thoracic cage.
Additional images
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Transverse section of thorax, showing relations of pulmonary artery.
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Diagram of the course and branches of a typical intercostal nerve.
References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 403 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
External links
- Anatomy photo:18:05-0104 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Thoracic Wall: Removal of Intercostal Muscles"
- thoraxmuscles at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University)