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Posterior collateral intercostal artery (anatomy)

Authoring team

Each posterior intercostal artery divides at the level of the angle of the superior rib within each interspace to give:

  • a main branch which continues laterally within the subcostal groove of the superior rib
  • a collateral intercostal branch which passes inferiorly to the superior margin of the inferior rib within each interspace

Alike the main branch, each collateral intercostal artery:

  • runs in the plane between internal oblique and the innermost intercostals
  • anastomoses with an anterior artery from either the internal thoracic or musculophrenic arteries

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