Intermuscular

Intermuscular is an anatomical term used to describe relations or structures located between muscles. It is derived from the Latin inter, meaning “between,” and musculus, meaning “muscle.” In anatomical and clinical contexts, intermuscular describes tissues, spaces, and planes that separate or lie between adjacent muscles, as opposed to intramuscular (within a muscle) or submuscular (beneath muscle).

Intermuscular septa or intermuscular membranes are fibrous partitions that divide muscle groups into compartments. Examples occur in the limbs, where such septa create anterior and posterior compartments in the arm and leg. These partitions help organize and protect neurovascular bundles while stabilizing muscle groups during movement.

Intermuscular fat refers to adipose tissue located between muscles rather than beneath the skin or inside a single muscle. This distribution can be assessed by imaging techniques such as MRI or CT and may have implications for biomechanics and metabolic health.

In clinical practice, the term is used to describe injuries or procedures involving the space between muscles. Intermuscular hematomas can occur after trauma, and surgeons may use intermuscular approaches that pass between muscles to access deeper structures while preserving muscle tissue.

Related terms include intramuscular (within a muscle) and intermuscular septa. The concept of intermuscular anatomy helps describe the organization of muscular compartments and the pathways of nerves and vessels between them.