Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment. Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice.
Intercostal retractions occur when the muscles between the ribs pull inward. The movement is most often a sign that the person has a breathing problem. Intercostal retractions are a medical emergency.
This is a form of rheumatism that affects the intercostal muscles; that is, the muscles between the ribs. Special Report on Diseases of the Horse United States Department of Agriculture Wounding of the intercostal artery is avoided by inserting the instrument as near as possible to the anterior edge of the rib.