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# Levatores costarum

The levatores costarum are small muscles from the thoracic transverse processes to the rib below; they lift the ribs.

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## What it is

Small muscles from the thoracic transverse processes to the rib below.

## What it does

Lift the ribs and help bend and turn the [spine](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/spine/) slightly.

## Key points

- Twelve pairs of small fan-shaped muscles from C7 to T11: the short ones (breves) reach the rib just below, the long ones in the lower thorax skip a rib
- Covered by the erector spinae; their fibres run in the same direction as the external intercostals

## Key facts

**Origin**
Tips of transverse processes of C7–T11

**Insertion**
Outer surface of the rib below, between tubercle and angle (longi: two ribs below)

**Action**
Elevate the ribs; slight lateral flexion and rotation of the spine

**Nerve**
Dorsal rami of C8–T11

**Blood supply**
[Posterior intercostal arteries](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/posterior-intercostal-arteries/)

## Relations

**Superficial**
[Iliocostalis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/iliocostalis-muscles/) and [longissimus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/longissimus-muscles/) thoracis (erector spinae)

**Deep**
[Ribs](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ribs/) and the [external intercostal muscles](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/external-intercostal-muscles/) near the costotransverse joints

**Medial**
Tips of the transverse processes and the costotransverse joints

## How to find it

They cannot be felt. In a costotransversectomy or posterior thoracic approach they are seen running from each transverse process tip down to the rib below, just lateral to the costotransverse joint.

## On imaging

Not usually seen on their own. Axial CT or MRI of the thorax may show them as small slips from the tip of each transverse process to the rib below, lateral to the costotransverse joint and deep to the erector spinae. Imaging in this area focuses instead on the costovertebral joints, the rib necks and the paravertebral space, for example a paravertebral mass, an abscess or a rib neck fracture.

## Clinical notes

- Divided in costotransversectomy and in posterior rib resection to reach the rib neck or the side of the vertebral body
- In a thoracic paravertebral block the needle is walked off the edge of the transverse process near their origin, through the superior costotransverse ligament, into the paravertebral space

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## What are the attachments of the levatores costarum?

From the tips of the transverse processes of C7–T11 to the rib below (the long ones skip a rib), between tubercle and angle.

## What are the action and nerve supply of the levatores costarum?

They elevate the ribs and slightly flex and rotate the spine; supplied by dorsal rami of C8–T11.

## In which operation are the levatores costarum divided?

Costotransversectomy and posterior rib resection, to reach the rib neck or the side of the vertebral body.

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Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

## Its names

**Official Latin (TA2)**
levatores costarum TA2 2308

**Official Spanish (DeCS)**
Músculos elevadores de las costillas

**English (TA2)**
Levatores costarum

**Also called**
levatores costarum muscles · levator costae muscles

## Related

- [C7 vertebra](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vertebra-prominens/)
- [T1 vertebra](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/t1/)
- [T11 vertebra](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/t11/)
- [T5 vertebra](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/t5/)
- [T7 vertebra](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/t7/)

Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Thorax, Ribs](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538328/).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/levatores-costarum/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/levatores-costarum/