Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Located or occurring between the ribs: Describes something situated in the spaces between adjacent ribs.

2. Noun:

   • Muscles between the ribs; they contract during inspiration: Refers specifically to the layers of muscle fibers found between the ribs, which are essential for the mechanical process of breathing.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The surgeon made an intercostal incision to access the lung.
  • Pain can arise from intercostal nerve compression.

• Noun:

  • The intercostals are primary muscles of respiration.
  • Straining a cough can lead to a pulled intercostal.

Advanced Usage

• "Intercostal space": The anatomical space between two ribs, which contains the intercostal muscles, nerves, and blood vessels.

  • The stethoscope is placed in the intercostal space to listen to heart sounds.

• "Intercostal neuralgia": Pain that follows the path of an intercostal nerve, often due to inflammation or damage.

  • Shingles can cause severe intercostal neuralgia.

Variants and Related Words

• Intercostally (adverb): In an intercostal manner or location.
  • The needle was inserted intercostally.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Interrib, intercostal (no common perfect synonym; the term is highly specific to anatomy).
• Noun: Intercostal muscle (a more descriptive synonym).

Related Phrases

• "External intercostal muscles": The outer layer of intercostal muscles that elevate the ribs during inhalation.
• "Internal intercostal muscles": The deeper layer that depresses the ribs during forced exhalation.

Adjective

1. located or occurring between the ribs
   • intercostal muscles

Noun

1. muscles between the ribs; they contract during inspiration