Video - Vessels and nerves of the thoracic wall

The thoracic wall contains various blood vessels and nerves that supply the muscles, bones, and skin of the region.

The arterial supply to the thoracic wall comes from the posterior intercostal and subcostal arteries arising from the thoracic aorta; the internal thoracic and superior intercostal artery, and the superior and lateral thoracic arteries from the axillary artery. The veins of the thoracic wall are the intercostal veins that accompany the intercostal arteries and nerves, and drain into the brachiocephalic vein

The nerves of the thoracic wall include the intercostal nerves, which run between the ribs and supply the muscles and skin of the chest wall. 12 pairs of thoracic spinal nerves divide into posterior rami as well as anterior rami, which continue as the intercostal nerves.