Intercostal veins

The intercostal veins are a group of veins which drain the area between the ribs ("costae"), called the intercostal space.

Drains fromIntercostal muscle, intercostal space

ArteryIntercostal arteries

Latinvenae intercostales

FMA321641

Quick facts Details, Drains from ...

Intercostal veins
Intercostal spaces, viewed from the left.
Details
Drains from	Intercostal muscle, intercostal space
Artery	Intercostal arteries
Identifiers
Latin	venae intercostales
FMA	321641
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

Close

They can be divided as follows:

• Anterior intercostal veins
• Posterior intercostal veins
  • Posterior intercost vein that drain into the Supreme intercostal vein - 1st intercostal space
  • Posterior intercost veins that drain into the Superior intercostal vein - 2nd, 3rd, and 4th intercostal spaces. The superior intercostal vein then drains into the Azygous vein.
  • Posterior intercost veins that drain directly into the Azygous vein - in spaces 5–11.
  • Subcostal vein—below bottom (12th) rib and also drains into the Azygous vein.