Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology01:14

Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology

Spinal cord injury progresses through two interconnected phases: primary injury and secondary injury.Primary InjuryPrimary injury happens at the moment of trauma and involves immediate mechanical damage to the spinal cord.Compression happens when broken vertebrae, herniated discs, or accumulating blood (such as a hematoma) press directly against the spinal cord, distorting its normal shape and function. In cases of contusion, the cord is bruised by a blunt force (like penetrating injuries or...
Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology01:25

Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology

Early Ischemia and Ionic ImbalanceWithin minutes of spinal cord injury, a secondary cascade begins, progressing over hours to weeks. Vascular damage reduces blood flow, causing ischemia and mitochondrial dysfunction. ATP depletion leads to ion pump failure, membrane depolarization, sodium influx, potassium efflux, and water accumulation, resulting in cellular swelling. Increased intracellular calcium further disrupts mitochondria and accelerates cellular injury.Excitotoxicity and Neuronal...
Pulmonary Function Tests01:25

Pulmonary Function Tests

Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs)
Pulmonary Function Tests are crucial diagnostic tools for assessing respiratory function, particularly in patients with chronic respiratory disorders. They comprehensively evaluate lung volumes, ventilatory function, breathing mechanics, diffusion, and gas exchange. These tests help diagnose pulmonary diseases and play a significant role in monitoring disease progression, evaluating disability, and assessing response to therapy.
PFTs involve using a spirometer, a...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Hepatic Candidiasis Following Drug-Induced Neutropenia in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis: A Diagnostic Challenge.

ACG case reports journal·2026
Same author

Exoskeletal-Assisted Training in Veterans With Chronic Stroke: A Pilot Study.

Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translation·2026
Same author

Attenuation of Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling Promotes Complete Recovery of Trabecular Bone Structure Following Immobilization With Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury.

FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·2026
Same author

Effect of Albuterol Repetabs on Pulmonary Function in Individuals With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury.

Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation·2026
Same author

Impact of prior pacemaker implantation on length of stay in acute diastolic heart failure: a propensity score-matched analysis.

American journal of cardiovascular disease·2026
Same author

COVID-19 test positivity, vaccine uptake, and mortality among Veterans with SCI/D.

The journal of spinal cord medicine·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Evaluation of Respiratory Muscle Activation Using Respiratory Motor Control Assessment (RMCA) in Individuals with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury
09:37

Evaluation of Respiratory Muscle Activation Using Respiratory Motor Control Assessment (RMCA) in Individuals with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Published on: July 19, 2013

Pulmonary function and spinal cord injury.

Gregory J Schilero1, Ann M Spungen, William A Bauman

  • 1Rehabilitation Research and Development Center of Excellence for the Medical Consequences of Spinal Cord Injury, The James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, USA. greg.schilero@va.gov

Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology
|May 16, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Spinal cord injuries impair breathing muscles, leading to reduced lung function and increased work of breathing in tetraplegia. Interventions like expiratory muscle training show promise for improving respiratory health.

More Related Videos

Assessing Functional Recovery of Eupneic Diaphragm Activity Following Unilateral Cervical Spinal Cord Hemisection in Rats
05:09

Assessing Functional Recovery of Eupneic Diaphragm Activity Following Unilateral Cervical Spinal Cord Hemisection in Rats

Published on: June 14, 2024

A Murine Model of Cervical Spinal Cord Injury to Study Post-lesional Respiratory Neuroplasticity
09:09

A Murine Model of Cervical Spinal Cord Injury to Study Post-lesional Respiratory Neuroplasticity

Published on: May 28, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Evaluation of Respiratory Muscle Activation Using Respiratory Motor Control Assessment (RMCA) in Individuals with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury
09:37

Evaluation of Respiratory Muscle Activation Using Respiratory Motor Control Assessment (RMCA) in Individuals with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Published on: July 19, 2013

Assessing Functional Recovery of Eupneic Diaphragm Activity Following Unilateral Cervical Spinal Cord Hemisection in Rats
05:09

Assessing Functional Recovery of Eupneic Diaphragm Activity Following Unilateral Cervical Spinal Cord Hemisection in Rats

Published on: June 14, 2024

A Murine Model of Cervical Spinal Cord Injury to Study Post-lesional Respiratory Neuroplasticity
09:09

A Murine Model of Cervical Spinal Cord Injury to Study Post-lesional Respiratory Neuroplasticity

Published on: May 28, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Respiratory Physiology
  • Neurology
  • Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

  • Cervical and upper thoracic spinal cord injuries significantly impact respiratory muscle function, leading to reduced lung volumes and pressures.
  • Individuals with tetraplegia experience decreased chest wall and lung compliance, increased work of breathing, and compromised expiratory muscle function.
  • Heightened vagal activity and reduced baseline airway caliber are observed in tetraplegia, potentially due to altered sympathetic innervation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the respiratory consequences of spinal cord injury, focusing on tetraplegia.
  • To explore the impact of injury on inspiratory and expiratory muscle function, lung mechanics, and airway caliber.
  • To discuss potential therapeutic interventions for improving respiratory outcomes in individuals with tetraplegia.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on respiratory function following spinal cord injury.
  • Analysis of spirometry, lung volumes, static mouth pressures, and chest wall mechanics.
  • Evaluation of airway caliber changes and response to bronchodilators.

Main Results:

  • Spinal cord injury leads to reduced lung function, increased work of breathing, and compromised cough effectiveness.
  • Reduced airway caliber in tetraplegia may contribute to airway hyperresponsiveness.
  • Interventions such as phrenic nerve pacing, expiratory muscle training, and bronchodilators show potential benefits.

Conclusions:

  • Respiratory complications are significant following spinal cord injury, particularly in tetraplegia.
  • Further research is needed to understand the benefits of bronchodilators and obstructive sleep apnea treatment in this population.
  • Targeted interventions can potentially improve respiratory parameters and quality of life.