10th intercostal nerve

Nervus intercostalis X

NervousNervesAbdomenLeft and right

View left in 3D View right in 3D

What it is
The ventral ramus of the 10th thoracic nerve. It runs round the chest in the costal groove on the underside of the 10th rib, between the internal and innermost intercostal muscles and below the intercostal vein and artery, then leaves the costal margin to run forward between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis to the rectus sheath.
Function
Motor to the intercostal muscles and the anterior abdominal wall; sensation from a band of skin (lateral and anterior cutaneous branches) and from the parietal pleura and peritoneum.
Size
About 2-3 mm thick; 31-36 cm long
Clinical note
The tenth thoracic dermatome encircles the body at the umbilicus.

Nearby nervous structures 11th intercostal nerve, 9th intercostal nerve, Celiac plexus and ganglia, Enteric (myenteric) plexus - marker, L1 spinal nerve, L2 spinal nerve, L3 spinal nerve, L4 dorsal root ganglion, L4 spinal nerve, Superior mesenteric plexus