The subcostales are thin muscles on the inner thoracic wall, most prominent in the lower thorax. They are the most inconstant of the thoracic wall muscles and may be absent entirely.
| Origin | Inner surface of the lower ribs near their angles |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Inner surface of ribs 2-3 below — spanning multiple intercostal spaces |
| Nerve Supply | Intercostal nerves (T7-T12) |
| Blood Supply | Posterior intercostal arteries |
| Actions | Depress the lower ribs during forced expiration; Stabilise the lower thoracic wall |
|---|
Subcostales are occasionally encountered during thoracoscopic procedures as an additional internal thoracic wall layer. They are part of the thoracic wall musculature relevant in intercostal neurovascular bundle protection during lower thoracic access.
Not palpable from outside the chest.
Subcostales encountered as an additional inner thoracic wall layer during VATS procedures in the lower chest.
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