Nervi intercostales is a medical term that refers to the intercostal nerves, which run between the ribs and provide sensation to the chest and abdominal wall. The spelling of this term can be broken down into its pronunciation through IPA phonetic transcription. The word "nervi" is pronounced /ˈnɜːvɪ/, while "intercostales" is pronounced /ˌɪntəˈkɒstəliːz/. The plural form of "nervus" is "nervi," which explains the "i" at the end. This term is commonly used in the medical field for diagnostic and treatment purposes.
The term "nervi intercostales" refers to the intercostal nerves in human anatomy. These nerves are a series of nerves that are located between the ribs, specifically in the intercostal spaces. There are typically 12 pairs of intercostal nerves on each side of the body, originating from the thoracic spinal nerves.
The nervi intercostales play a crucial role in innervating certain structures within the thoracic region. They are responsible for providing sensory innervation to the skin and muscles of the chest and upper abdomen. Additionally, these nerves also contribute to the motor function of the intercostal muscles.
The intercostal nerves are mixed nerves, meaning they contain both sensory and motor fibers. The sensory fibers transmit information such as pain, touch, and temperature sensations from the chest and abdomen to the central nervous system. Meanwhile, the motor fibers carry signals from the central nervous system to the intercostal muscles, allowing them to contract and facilitate movements involved in breathing and rib cage stability.
Damage or injury to the nervi intercostales can result in various symptoms, depending on the affected nerve and its distribution. This may include pain, numbness, or weakness in the chest or abdomen. Identifying and diagnosing any abnormalities related to the intercostal nerves is essential in order to assess and treat the underlying cause effectively.
Intercostal nerves, anterior branches of the nervi thoracales.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "nervi intercostales" is derived from Latin.
- "Nervi" is the plural form of the Latin noun "nervus", meaning "nerve" or "tendon".
- "Intercostales" is the plural form of the Latin adjective "intercostalis", meaning "between the ribs" or "intercostal". It is derived from the words "inter" (meaning "between") and "costa" (meaning "rib").
So, "nervi intercostales" essentially translates to "intercostal nerves" in English, referring to the nerves located between the ribs.