Action of abdominal muscles on rib cage in humans

To assess the actions of the rectus abdominis and external oblique muscles on the rib cage in humans, these two muscles were stimulated with surface electrodes in four normal supine subjects at functional residual capacity. Changes in anteroposterior and transverse rib cage diameters and changes in xiphipubic distance were measured with pairs of magnetometers. Stimulation of rectus abdominis produced a marked decrease in the xiphipubic distance and in the anteroposterior diameter, thus making the rib cage more elliptic. In contrast, stimulation of the external oblique caused a decrease in the transverse diameter, making the rib cage more cylindrical. When both muscles were stimulated simultaneously, the resultant rib cage distortion depended on the relative voltage at which each muscle was stimulated. Electromyogram recordings showed that there was no cross contamination or activity of the diaphragm during the muscle stimulations. Transdiaphragmatic pressure increased with the voltage of stimulation, suggesting passive lengthening of the diaphragm. X-ray studies were performed in two subjects and confirmed the main magnetometer findings. These studies thus confirm that the rib cage in humans is more easily distortable than conventionally thought. The abdominal muscles can distort it in either direction depending on which muscles are contracting.