The Thoracic Nerves

The thoracic nerves (Nn. thoracales) number eighteen on either side in the horse. They are designated numerically according to the vertebræ behind which they emerge. Most of them are arranged in a very similar manner and therefore do not require separate description. Each divides into a dorsal and a ventral branch, the latter being the larger.

The dorsal branches (Rami dorsales) emerge behind the levatores costarum and divide into internal and external branches. The internal branches ascend on the multifidus and supply the dorsal spinal muscles. The external branches run outward under the longissimus and emerge between that muscle and the transversalis costarum; after giving twigs to these muscles they pass through the latissimus dorsi and the lumbo-dorsal fascia and ramify as dorsal cutaneous nerves under the skin of the back (Fig. ). In the region of the withers they give branches to the serratus anticus and rhomboideus, and their cutaneous terminals pass through these muscles and the dorso-scapular ligament to supply the skin over the ligamentum nuchæ and the scapular cartilage.

The ventral branches or intercostal nerves (Nn. intercostales) are much larger than the preceding, and are connected with the sympathetic by rami communicantes. The first goes almost entirely to the brachial plexus, but sends a fine branch downward in the first intercostal space which is expended in the muscle there without reaching the lower end of the space. The second ventral branch furnishes a considerable root to the brachial plexus, but its intercostal continuation is typical. The intercostal nerves (Fig. ) descend in the intercostal spaces with the vessels of like name, at first between the intercostal muscles, and lower down chiefly between the pleura and the internal intercostal muscle. In the anterior spaces the artery lies along the posterior border of the rib, with the nerve in front of it; further back the nerve lies behind the border of the rib, with the artery in front of it. They supply the intercostal muscles, give off lateral perforating branches, and terminate in the following manner: The second to the sixth inclusive emerge through the spaces between the costal cartilages and concur in supplying the pectoral muscles. The second to the eighth give branches to the transversus thoracis. The succeeding ones give branches to the diaphragm, pass between the transverse and internal oblique muscles, give twigs to these, and end in the rectus abdominis. There are three series of cutaneous nerves given off by the intercostal nerves. The upper nerves emerge through the serratus magnus and the external intercostals about parallel with the digitations of the external oblique. The middle set perforate the origin of the latter muscle. The lower ones appear through the abdominal tunic. They supply branches to the abdominal muscles, the panniculus, and the skin. Some of the anterior ones anastomose with the posterior thoracic branches of the brachial plexus. The posterior three supply in part the skin of the flank. The ventral branch of the last thoracic nerve runs outward behind the last rib across the dorsal surface of the psoas major and divides into superficial and deep branches. The superficial branch passes between the obliquus internus and transversus abdominis, perforates the obliquus externus, and ramifies under the skin of the flank (Fig. ). The deep branch descends on the inner face of the internal oblique to the rectus abdominis, in which it ends.