Transversus thoracis muscle

Changed by Andrew Murphy, 3 Sep 2017

Updates to Article Attributes

Body was changed:

The transversus thoracis muscle is the most anterior muscle of the inner layer (external intercostal, internal intercostal and transversus thoracis) of the thoracic wall.  

Gross Anatomy

The transversus thoracis is a thin band of muscle and tendon arising from the lower posterior surface of the sternum, posterior edge of the xiphisternum and the costal cartilage of the lowest 3 - 4 ribs at their sternal end. It diverges supero-laterally to attach by slips to the underside of the 2nd to 6th costal cartilages 1. The transversus thoracis muscle is morphologically identical to the transversus abdominis muscle 2

Blood Supply
Nerve Supply
Action

The transverse thoracis muscle is an accessory muscle for respiration.  It pulls the ribs crainally which supports expiration. 

  • -<p>The <strong>transversus thoracis</strong> muscle is the most anterior muscle of the inner layer (<a href="/articles/external-intercostal-muscle">external intercostal</a>, <a href="/articles/internal-intercostal-muscles">internal intercostal</a> and transversus thoracis) of the thoracic wall.  </p><h4>Gross Anatomy</h4><p>The transversus thoracis is a thin band of muscle and tendon arising from the lower posterior surface of the <a href="/articles/sternum">sternum</a>, posterior edge of the <a href="/articles/xiphisternum">xiphisternum</a> and the <a href="/articles/costal-cartilage">costal cartilage</a> of the lowest 3 - 4 ribs at their sternal end.  It diverges supero-laterally to attach by slips to the underside of the 2nd to 6th <a href="/articles/costal-cartilage">costal cartilages</a> <sup>1</sup>.  The transversus thoracis muscle is morphologically identical to the <a href="/articles/transversus-abdominis-muscle">transversus abdominis</a> muscle <sup>2</sup>. </p><h5>Blood Supply</h5><ul><li>
  • +<p>The <strong>transversus thoracis</strong> muscle is the most anterior muscle of the inner layer (<a href="/articles/external-intercostal-muscle">external intercostal</a>, <a href="/articles/internal-intercostal-muscle">internal intercostal</a> and transversus thoracis) of the thoracic wall.  </p><h4>Gross Anatomy</h4><p>The transversus thoracis is a thin band of muscle and tendon arising from the lower posterior surface of the <a href="/articles/sternum">sternum</a>, posterior edge of the <a href="/articles/xiphisternum">xiphisternum</a> and the <a href="/articles/costal-cartilage">costal cartilage</a> of the lowest 3 - 4 ribs at their sternal end. It diverges supero-laterally to attach by slips to the underside of the 2nd to 6th <a href="/articles/costal-cartilage">costal cartilages</a> <sup>1</sup>. The transversus thoracis muscle is morphologically identical to the <a href="/articles/transversus-abdominis-muscle">transversus abdominis</a> muscle <sup>2</sup>. </p><h5>Blood Supply</h5><ul><li>

ADVERTISEMENT: Supporters see fewer/no ads

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.