Lateral Branches of Posterior Rami of Thoracic Nerves (Left)
Rami posteriores laterales nervorum thoracicum
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The posterior ramus of the thoracic nerve divides into medial and lateral branches lateral to the zygapophyseal joint. The lateral branch continues laterally, coursing between the superior costotransverse and intertransverse ligaments. As it reaches the medial border of levator costarum, the lateral branch travels inferoposteriorly.
The upper lateral branches (T1-T6) remain intramuscular, supplying the levator costarum, longissimus and iliocostalis muscles, while the lower lateral branches (T7-T12) also contribute to cutaneous innervation of the back and the anterior part of the gluteal region. These lower branches can descend a distance of four ribs to become cutaneous.
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Thoracic Nerves
The 12th thoracic nerve is called the subcostal nerve and is unique in that it gives off a branch to the first lumbar nerve, thus contributing to the lumbar plexus.
