Thoracoabdominal nerve (of abdominal wall)

The “somatic nerves of abdominal wall” commonly refers to the thoracoabdominal nerves, comprised of the anterior rami of spinal nerves T7 to T12 (the lower intercostal and subcostal nerves). These nerves supply segmental sensory innervation to the skin of the anterolateral abdominal wall and provide motor innervation to the abdominal wall muscles, including the external oblique, internal oblique, transversus abdominis, and rectus abdominis. They run between the transversus abdominis and internal oblique muscles in a neurovascular plane, then pierce the rectus sheath to reach the skin. These nerves are critical for voluntary motor control and sensation in the abdominal wall, but are not regarded as molecular drug targets (like receptors or enzymes) in pharmacology—they are anatomical structures [1][2][3][4]. Additional clarification: - The term “somatic nerves of abdominal wall” is anatomical, not a canonical molecular target name. - Nerves themselves are not singular molecules or receptors, but bundles of axons; drug action typically targets ion channels, receptors, or enzymes, not entire nerves. - This entry should be flagged as incorrect for “target” purposes.

Other names

Thoracoabdominal nervesintercostal nerves (T7-T11)subcostal nerve (T12)nerves of the anterolateral abdominal wallsomatic nerves of abdominal wall