Which nerve innervates the costal pleura?

Which nerve innervates the costal pleura?

• A. Intercostal nerves
• B. Phrenic nerve
• C. Vagus nerve
• D. Sympathetic chain nerves

Answer: (A)

Costal pleura is part of the parietal pleura lining the thoracic wall, and its sensory supply comes from the intercostal nerves. These nerves carry somatic (sharp, well-localized) sensory fibers from the thoracic spinal nerves, so pain from pleuritis or irritation of the costal pleura is typically well localized to a specific chest wall region. The phrenic nerve mainly supplies the diaphragmatic and mediastinal pleura, not the costal portion. The vagus nerve provides parasympathetic and visceral sensory innervation to the lungs and visceral pleura, while autonomic fibers from the sympathetic chain contribute largely autonomic innervation rather than somatic sensation to the costal area. Therefore, the nerve innervating the costal pleura is the intercostal nerves.

Costal pleura is part of the parietal pleura lining the thoracic wall, and its sensory supply comes from the intercostal nerves. These nerves carry somatic (sharp, well-localized) sensory fibers from the thoracic spinal nerves, so pain from pleuritis or irritation of the costal pleura is typically well localized to a specific chest wall region. The phrenic nerve mainly supplies the diaphragmatic and mediastinal pleura, not the costal portion. The vagus nerve provides parasympathetic and visceral sensory innervation to the lungs and visceral pleura, while autonomic fibers from the sympathetic chain contribute largely autonomic innervation rather than somatic sensation to the costal area. Therefore, the nerve innervating the costal pleura is the intercostal nerves.