Intercostal muscles

Looks like

Three thin layers filling each gap between the ribs, their fibres crossing.

What it does

Stiffen the chest wall and move the ribs with every breath.

Keeping it well

Breathe deeply after injury; a torn one hurts sharply on twisting and settles in weeks.

Its parts

• External intercostal muscle
• Innermost intercostal muscle
• Internal intercostal muscle

Related conditions

• Botulism
• Fibromyalgia
• Frailty & falls in older age
• Heat exhaustion & heatstroke
• Malnutrition & refeeding syndrome
• Muscular dystrophy
• Pleural effusion
• Pneumothorax
• Polymyalgia rheumatica
• Rhabdomyolysis
• Sarcoma
• Sarcopenia
• Tetanus