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

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.

• Intercostal nerves

• Atlas image: abdo_wall70 at the University of Michigan Health System
• http://www.instantanatomy.net/thorax/vessels/vinsuperiormediastinum.doc

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