Located between the ribs, referring to the muscles, nerves, and blood vessels that run in the spaces between adjacent ribs. These structures are essential for breathing and chest wall function.
From Latin 'inter' meaning between and 'costa' meaning rib. The term literally means 'between the ribs' and has been used in anatomy to describe structures in these spaces.
Your intercostal muscles are unsung heroes of breathing! They contract about 20,000 times per day to lift your ribs during inspiration, and when they go into spasm, they can cause excruciating chest pain that mimics a heart attack.
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