External intercostal muscles

The intercostal externus muscle (Latin for " external intercostal muscle ") is a running in each intercostal space skeletal muscle of the thorax. The Musculi external intercostals (plural ) run obliquely ventrocaudal ( belly - tail upward, in humans so forward and downward ) from a rib to the next.

The Musculi external intercostals, together with the ribs and the underlying Musculi internal intercostal chest wall. The contraction of the musculi external intercostals raise the ribs, expanding the chest, making these muscles inhalation ( inspiration) support ( " Hilfsinspirator " ) and are counted to the respiratory muscles.