These are usually what they teach in school I think:
Midclavicular line between 6th & 8th ribs -> 7th intercostal space
Midaxillary line between 8th & 10th ribs -> 9th intercostal space (or the midscapular line if the patient is upright)
Paravertebral line between 10th and 12th ribs ->10th intercostal space
In general, you want to do it above a rib because the intercostal arteries, veins, and nerves run along the bottom of a rib. You're aiming for the costodiaphragmatic recess which is usually found between the 8th and 10th ribs. The correct position for a thoracocentesis is above the 9th rib on the affected side, along the midaxillary line if the patient is supine, or the posterior midscapular line if the patient is upright.
submitted by โshak360(23)
These are usually what they teach in school I think:
Midclavicular line between 6th & 8th ribs -> 7th intercostal space
Midaxillary line between 8th & 10th ribs -> 9th intercostal space (or the midscapular line if the patient is upright)
Paravertebral line between 10th and 12th ribs ->10th intercostal space
In general, you want to do it above a rib because the intercostal arteries, veins, and nerves run along the bottom of a rib. You're aiming for the costodiaphragmatic recess which is usually found between the 8th and 10th ribs. The correct position for a thoracocentesis is above the 9th rib on the affected side, along the midaxillary line if the patient is supine, or the posterior midscapular line if the patient is upright.