Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42186621›Full record

ArticleCureus2026

Anatomical Study of the Lateral Cutaneous Branch of the Intercostal Nerves in the Intramuscular Portion.

Guillaume Huttin, Romain Mari, Raymond Challita, Clémentine Rieussec, Gauthier Caillard, Pierre-Yves Rabattu, Alexandra Forli, Thibault Lafosse, Michael Bouyer

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Guillaume HuttinDepartment of Reconstructive Surgery, Hand Surgery Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, FRA.
Romain MariDepartment of Reconstructive Surgery, Hand Surgery Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, FRA.
Raymond ChallitaDepartment of Reconstructive Surgery, Hand Surgery Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, FRA.
Clémentine RieussecDepartment of Reconstructive Surgery, Hand Surgery Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, FRA.
Gauthier CaillardDepartment of Reconstructive Surgery, Hand Surgery Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, FRA.
Pierre-Yves RabattuDepartment of Pediatric Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, FRA.
Alexandra ForliDepartment of Reconstructive Surgery, Hand Surgery Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, FRA.
Thibault LafosseAlps Surgery Institute, Hand, Upper Limb, Brachial Plexus, and Microsurgery Unit (PBMA), Clinique Générale d'Annecy, Annecy, FRA.
Michael BouyerAlps Surgery Institute, Hand, Upper Limb, Brachial Plexus, and Microsurgery Unit (PBMA), Clinique Générale d'Annecy, Annecy, FRA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionThe lateral cutaneous branch (LCB) of the intercostal nerves (ICNs) is classically described as a sensory nerve supplying the lateral thoracic wall. However, it may also contribute to the innervation of the intercostal muscles and the digitations of the serratus anterior.

objectiveThis study aimed to investigate the course, variations, and divisions of the LCB along its path within the intercostal space.

methodsThis anatomical study was conducted between January and April 2024 on 11 formalin-fixed adult cadavers. The third to sixth ICNs were dissected. The origin of the LCB relative to the midaxillary line, its length before division, and the number and destination of its branches (muscular or cutaneous) were recorded.

resultsFive females (45%) and six males (55%) were included (age range: 66-103 years). A total of 75 LCBs were identified and dissected. The mean distance from the midaxillary line was 3.72 cm ± 2.43 cm, and the mean length before division was 3.71 cm ± 1.84 cm. The LCB was divided into two branches in 56 cases (75%) and into three branches in 19 cases (25%). One branch consistently demonstrated a cutaneous distribution, while one or two branches exhibited a motor distribution.

conclusionWithin its intramuscular course, the LCB provides motor branches to the intercostal muscles and the digitations of the serratus anterior before becoming purely sensory.

Indexed as

anatomical studyintercostal muscleintercostal nerveintercostal spacelateral cutaneous branch

Identifiers

PMID42186621
PMCPMC13198931

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.