Subcostal nerve
Nervus subcostalis
- Latin synonym: Ramus anterior nervi thoracici duodecimi
- Synonym: Anterior ramus of spinal nerve T12
Definition
The anterior division of the twelfth thoracic nerve is called the subcostal nerve and is larger than the others; it runs along the lower border of the twelfth rib, often gives a communicating branch to the first lumbar nerve, and passes under the lateral lumbocostal arch. It then runs in front of the Quadratus lumborum, perforates the Transversus, and passes forward between it and the Obliquus internus to be distributed in the same manner as the lower intercostal nerves.
It communicates with the iliohypogastric nerve of the lumbar plexus, and gives a branch to the Pyramidalis.
The lateral cutaneous branch of the last thoracic nerve is large, and does not divide into an anterior and a posterior branch. It perforates the Obliqui internus and externus, descends over the iliac crest in front of the lateral cutaneous branch of the iliohypogastric, and is distributed to the skin of the front part of the gluteal region, some of its filaments extending as low as the greater trochanter.
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