Posterior Intercostal Arteries (Arteriae intercostales posteriores dexter)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
The right posterior intercostal arteries course across the vertebral bodies behind the esophagus and azygos vein to enter the right intercostal spaces, supplying the parietal pleura, intercostal muscles, and overlying skin.
Clinical notes
In coarctation of the aorta, the posterior intercostal arteries dilate massively as collateral pathways, eroding the inferior rib margins to produce characteristic "rib notching" on chest radiography.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Posterior Intercostal Arteries?
The right posterior intercostal arteries course across the vertebral bodies behind the esophagus and azygos vein to enter the right intercostal spaces, supplying the parietal pleura, intercostal muscles, and overlying skin.
Why is the Posterior Intercostal Arteries clinically important?
In coarctation of the aorta, the posterior intercostal arteries dilate massively as collateral pathways, eroding the inferior rib margins to produce characteristic "rib notching" on chest radiography.
Source & license
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