Lateral cutaneous branch of thoracic spinal nerve

The **lateral cutaneous branch of the thoracic spinal nerve** refers to a group of *sensory nerve branches* that arise from the intercostal nerves (which are the ventral rami of thoracic spinal nerves T1–T11)[1][3]. These branches emerge near the midaxillary line, pierce the intercostal muscles and serratus anterior muscle, and then divide into anterior and posterior branches to supply the skin of the lateral thorax and upper abdomen with sensory innervation[1][3][5]. The lateral cutaneous branch of the second intercostal nerve is better known as the "intercostobrachial nerve"[1][3]. Lateral cutaneous branches are **not molecular targets** in the sense of receptors, enzymes, or other molecules targeted by drugs; rather, they are anatomical structures (peripheral nerve branches) and not appropriate as therapeutic drug targets. **Summary of key points:** - This entry refers to a *nerve branch* (an anatomical structure), **not** a molecular/druggable target or receptor[1][3][5]. - No abbreviation exists in common clinical or anatomical usage. - Lateral cutaneous branches serve exclusively as peripheral sensory nerves. - No known drugs directly target these structures; injury, entrapment, or disease here is treated symptomatically (e.g., with pain medications or nerve blocks). - Aliases include lateral cutaneous branch of intercostal nerve; when specifying the level, it may be called "lateral cutaneous branch of the [nth] intercostal nerve." - This is **not a canonical molecular target** suitable for drug discovery or therapeutic intervention.

Other names

Lateral cutaneous branch of intercostal nerveLateral cutaneous branch of thoracic nerveLateral cutaneous branch