The intercostal nerves are crucial peripheral nerves located between the ribs, stemming from the thoracic spinal nerves. They innervate the intercostal muscles, skin, and pleura, playing a vital role in respiration and sensory perception of the chest wall. Understanding their anatomy is key in medical fields for diagnosing conditions like neuralgia or planning nerve blocks.
In ultrasound, visualizing intercostal nerves is important for targeted pain management procedures, such as intercostal nerve blocks, or to assess nerve integrity following trauma. High-resolution ultrasound provides real-time guidance, ensuring precise needle placement and minimizing complications. This makes ultrasound an invaluable tool for both diagnosis and therapeutic interventions related to intercostal nerves.
