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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.
The external intercostal muscles are responsible for forced and quiet inhalation. They raise the ribs and expand the chest cavity, and originate from ribs one through 11, with insertion from ribs two to 12. The internal intercostal muscles are responsible for forced exhalation.he three layers are: external intercostal muscles, internal intercostal muscles, and the innermost intercostal muscles. These muscles are innervated and supplied with blood by the intercostal nerves, intercostal veins, and intercostal arteries.