Anatomy
Course
Anterior division of the fifth thoracic spinal nerve. Runs along the fifth intercostal space, below the superior rib until it ends as the anterior cutaneous branch which surfaces to supply the cutaneous skin. Along the way it gives off a lateral cutaneous branch that emerges superficially and splits into a posterior and anterior branch to innervate the skin.
Supply
Somatic motor innervation to the thoracic wall muscles, sensory innervation to the skin and parietal pleura as well as postganglionic sympathetic fibres.
Interested in taking our award-winning Pocket Anatomy app for a test drive?
