5th Intercostal Spaces

5^th intercostal space starts from inferior portion of 5^th rib and ends at superior portion of 6^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.

Intercostal Spaces

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.