Thoracic nerves

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Nerve: Thoracic nerves

Cutaneous distribution of thoracic nerves.
Latin	nervi thoracici
Gray's	p.923
MeSH	Thoracic+nerves

The thoracic nerves are the spinal nerves emerging from the thoracic vertebrae. Branches also exit the spine and go directly to the Sympathetic Chain Ganglia of the Autonomic Nervous System where they are involved in the functions of organs and glands in the head, neck, thorax and abdomen.

Anterior divisions

The intercostal nerves come from thoracic nerves T1-T11, and run between the ribs ("costae"). At T2 and T3, it further branches into the intercostobrachial nerve.

The subcostal nerve comes from nerve T12, and runs below the twelfth rib.

Posterior divisions

The medial branches (ramus medialis; internal branch) of the posterior divisions of the upper six thoracic nerves run between the Semispinalis dorsi and Multifidus, which they supply; they then pierce the Rhomboidei and Trapezius, and reach the skin by the sides of the spinous processes. This sensitive branch is called medial cutaneous ramus.

The medial branches of the lower six are distributed chiefly to the Multifidus and Longissimus dorsi, occasionally they give off filaments to the skin near the middle line. This sensitive branch is called posterior cutaneous ramus.

Additional images

Nervous system
Areas of distribution of the cutaneous branches of the posterior divisions of the spinal nerves.
Diagram of the course and branches of a typical intercostal nerve.
Intercostal nerves, the superficial muscles having been removed.
Thoracic nerves.Deep dissection. Posterior view

External links

thoracic+nerves at eMedicine Dictionary
Anatomy at MUN thorax/thornerv

This article incorporates text from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy.

Nerves: spinal nerves (TA A14.2, GA 9.916)

Cervical (8)

C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8

anterior (Cervical plexus, Brachial plexus) – posterior (Posterior branches of cervical nerves, Suboccipital – C1, Greater occipital – C2, Third occipital – C3)

Thoracic (12)

T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, T9, T10, T11, T12

anterior (Intercostal, Intercostobrachial – T2, Thoraco-abdominal nerves – T7–T11, Subcostal – T12) – posterior (Posterior branches of thoracic nerves)

Lumbar (5)

L1, L2, L3, L4, L5

anterior (Lumbar plexus, Lumbosacral trunk) · posterior (Posterior branches of the lumbar nerves, Superior cluneal L1–L3)

Sacral (5)

S1, S2, S3, S4, S5

anterior (Sacral plexus) · posterior (Posterior branches of sacral nerves, Medial cluneal nerves)

Coccygeal (1)

anterior (Coccygeal plexus) · posterior (Posterior branch of coccygeal nerve)

M: PNS

anat (h/r/t/c/b/l/s/a)/phys (r)/devp/prot/nttr/nttm/ntrp

noco/auto/cong/tumr, sysi/epon, injr

proc, drug (N1B)

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