3rd Intercostal Spaces

3^rd intercostal space starts from inferior portion of 3^rd rib and ends at superior portion of 4^th rib. The intercostal spaces are the spaces amongst the two bordering ribs and their costal cartilages. On each side 11 intercostal spaces are present.

Contents

Each space contains the following structures:

• Intercostal muscles
  • External intercostal
  • Internal intercostal
  • Transversus thoracis
  • Innermost intercostal (intcrcostalis intimus)
  • Sternocostalis
• Intercostal veins – blood drainage.
• Intercostal arteries – Posterior and anterior – blood supply.
• Intercostal nerves – innervation.
• Intercostal lymph vessels and lymph nodes.