Supreme_intercostal_artery
Intercostal arteries
Arteries supplying the space between the ribs
The intercostal arteries are a group of arteries passing within an intercostal space (the space between two adjacent ribs). There are 9 anterior and 11 posterior intercostal arteries on each side of the body. The anterior intercostal arteries are branches of the internal thoracic artery and its terminal branch - the musculophrenic artery. The posterior intercostal arteries are branches of the supreme intercostal artery and thoracic aorta.
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Each anterior intercostal artery anastomoses with the corresponding posterior intercostal artery arising from the thoracic aorta.