Which term denotes the space between the ribs?

Which term denotes the space between the ribs?

• A. Cephalopathy
• B. Enteric
• C. Cerebrospinal
• D. Intercostal

Answer: (D)

Intercostal describes the space between the ribs. The prefix inter- means between, and costal relates to the ribs, so intercostal literally names the gaps between adjacent ribs. These spaces contain the intercostal muscles and the neurovascular bundle along the lower edge of each rib, and they’re a familiar term in exams and clinical practice for lung assessment and chest procedures. The other terms point to different parts of the body—cephalopathy relates to the head, enteric to the intestines, and cerebrospinal to the brain and spinal cord—so they don’t describe the rib gaps.

Intercostal describes the space between the ribs. The prefix inter- means between, and costal relates to the ribs, so intercostal literally names the gaps between adjacent ribs. These spaces contain the intercostal muscles and the neurovascular bundle along the lower edge of each rib, and they’re a familiar term in exams and clinical practice for lung assessment and chest procedures. The other terms point to different parts of the body—cephalopathy relates to the head, enteric to the intestines, and cerebrospinal to the brain and spinal cord—so they don’t describe the rib gaps.