
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Thoracic nerves
Introduction
The thoracic nerves are the spinal nerves emerging from the thoracic vertebrae.
Anterior divisions
Anterior divisions
- The intercostal nerves come from thoracic nerves T1-T11, and run between the ribs (“costae”). At T2 and T3, it further branches into the intercostobrachial nerve.
- The subcostal nerve comes from nerve T12, and runs below the twelfth rib.
Posterior divisions
Posterior divisions
The medial branches (ramus medialis; internal branch) of the posterior divisions of the upper six thoracic nerves run between the Semispinalis dorsi and Multifidus, which they supply; they then pierce the Rhomboidei and Trapezius, and reach the skin by the sides of the spinous processes.
The medial branches of the lower six are distributed chiefly to the Multifidus and Longissimus dorsi, occasionally they give off filaments to the skin near the middle line.
Additional images
Additional images
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Nervous system
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Areas of distribution of the cutaneous branches of the posterior divisions of the spinal nerves.
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Diagram of the course and branches of a typical intercostal nerve.
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Intercostal nerves, the superficial muscles having been removed.
Editor-In-Chief: Template:Infobox Nerve C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]




