The intercostal veins are a group of veins which drain the area between the
ribs
The rib cage, as an enclosure that comprises the ribs, vertebral column and sternum in the thorax of most vertebrates, protects vital organs such as the heart, lungs and great vessels.
The sternum, together known as the thoracic cage, is a se ...
("costae"), called the
intercostal space
The intercostal space (ICS) is the anatomic space between two ribs (Lat. costa). Since there are 12 ribs on each side, there are 11 intercostal spaces, each numbered for the rib superior to it.
Structures in intercostal space
* several kinds ...
.
They can be divided as follows:
*
Anterior intercostal veins
*
Posterior intercostal veins
** Posterior intercost vein that drain into the
Supreme intercostal vein
The supreme intercostal vein (highest intercostal vein) is a paired vein that drains the first intercostal space on its corresponding side.
It usually drains into the brachiocephalic vein. Alternatively, it drains into the superior intercostal ...
- 1st intercostal space
** Posterior intercost veins that drain into the
Superior intercostal vein - 2nd, 3rd, and 4th intercostal spaces. The superior intercostal vein then drains into the
Azygous vein
The azygos vein is a vein running up the right side of the thoracic vertebral column draining itself towards the superior vena cava. It connects the systems of superior vena cava and inferior vena cava and can provide an alternative path for bloo ...
.
** Posterior intercost veins that drain directly into the Azygous vein - in spaces 5-11.
**
Subcostal vein -- below bottom (12th) rib and also drains into the Azygous vein.
See also
*
Intercostal nerves
The intercostal nerves are part of the somatic nervous system, and arise from the anterior rami of the thoracic spinal nerves from T1 to T11. The intercostal nerves are distributed chiefly to the thoracic pleura and abdominal peritoneum, and dif ...
External links
*
* http://www.instantanatomy.net/thorax/vessels/vinsuperiormediastinum.html
{{Veins of the thorax and vertebral column
Veins of the torso