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- Right click on the image for a downloadable file of this muscle.
- Use of this artwork requires proper credit to be given (Permission: Dr. Joe Muscolino. www.learnmuscles.com – art work Giovanni Rimasti)
ATTACHMENTS:
- The external intercostals attach from rib #1 to rib #12.
ACTIONS:
- Elevate ribs #2-12 at the sternocostal and costospinal joints.
- Depress ribs #1-11 at the sternocostal and costospinal joints.
- Contralaterally rotate and flex the trunk at the spinal joints (anterior fibers).
- Laterally flex the trunk at the spinal joints (lateral fibers).
- Extend the trunk at the spinal joints (posterior fibers).
NOTES:
- The external intercostals are located within the intercostal spaces.
- Generally, muscles that elevate ribs act to create inspiration; generally muscles that depress ribs act to create expiration.
- There is controversy regarding the inspiration/expiration role of the external intercostals.
- Directly deep to the external intercostals are the internal intercostals.
