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

Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Inspection01:27

Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Inspection

844
Physical assessment of the respiratory tract through inspection is a crucial step in understanding the patient's respiratory health. It provides insights into the functioning of the respiratory system, the musculoskeletal structure, and even the patient's nutritional status. This comprehensive approach involves observing several vital aspects: chest configuration, breathing patterns, respiratory rates, skin color, and use of accessory muscles.
Chest Configuration
The chest configuration...
844
Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles01:30

Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles

1.6K
A thorough assessment of respiratory health is paramount in clinical settings to identify and manage respiratory distress and ensure adequate oxygenation. This article elaborates on the critical aspects of respiratory evaluation, including airway assessment, skin color examination, and the observation of accessory muscle use, which are integral to effectively diagnosing and managing patients with respiratory conditions.
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
1.6K
Acute Respiratory Failure-IV01:23

Acute Respiratory Failure-IV

521
Respiratory failure can manifest suddenly or gradually, characterized by a rapid decline in PaO2 and a rapid rise in PaCO2. This situation indicates a severe respiratory problem that may quickly become a life-threatening emergency. One of the early signs of hypoxemic Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF) is a change in mental status due to the brain's sensitivity to oxygen levels and changes in acid-base balance. Symptoms such as restlessness, confusion, and agitation suggest inadequate oxygen...
521
Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle01:28

Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle

1.7K
The clinical conditions affecting the skeletal muscle tissue are broadly categorized as musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders.
Musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders involve injuries and conditions affecting the skeletal muscles and associated connective tissues. These disorders can arise from acute biomechanical stresses or chronic overuse and can occur across different age groups. Common injuries include sprains, fractures, and muscular strains, often resulting from...
1.7K
Respiratory System Abnormal Finding I: Inspection and Percussion01:30

Respiratory System Abnormal Finding I: Inspection and Percussion

779
Respiratory system abnormalities are a significant concern in healthcare due to their potential to indicate underlying severe conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, and pneumonia. These abnormalities can often be detected through physical examination methods like inspection and percussion.
Inspection Findings
During an inspection, several findings may suggest the presence of respiratory distress or disease. Pursed-lip breathing, where exhalation is slowed by...
779
Respiratory System Abnormal Finding II: Palpation and Auscultation01:31

Respiratory System Abnormal Finding II: Palpation and Auscultation

1.4K
In assessing respiratory abnormalities, palpation and auscultation are critical tools for detecting and interpreting various pathophysiological changes. These techniques provide insight into underlying disorders by evaluating tactile sensations and sounds produced by the respiratory system.
Palpation Findings
During a respiratory assessment, palpation can reveal several vital abnormalities:
1.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Correction: Novel surrogate markers of CNS inflammation in CSF in the diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis.

Frontiers in neurology·2026
Same author

Targeted long-read sequencing enables comprehensive analysis of the genetic and epigenetic landscape of inherited myopathies.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Direct imaging-based gradient metasurface sensor enabling spectrometer-free ultrasensitive biomolecule detection.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Muscle Ultrasound Is a Sensitive Outcome Measure in ALS.

Muscle & nerve·2026
Same author

Strategic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Australia-Systems Genomics Consortium (SALSA-SGC): cohort profile.

BMJ open·2026
Same author

Integration of Serum Neurofilament Light Chain and Cortical Dysfunction Improves Diagnostic Accuracy in ALS.

Annals of clinical and translational neurology·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 18, 2026

Repeated Measurement of Respiratory Muscle Activity and Ventilation in Mouse Models of Neuromuscular Disease
09:24

Repeated Measurement of Respiratory Muscle Activity and Ventilation in Mouse Models of Neuromuscular Disease

Published on: April 17, 2017

13.6K

Neck flexion weakness predicts respiratory dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Nathan Pavey1, Alyssa Tieppo2, Aicee Dawn Calma1

  • 1Brain and Nerve Research Centre, Concord Clinical School, University of Sydney, Concord Hospital, Sydney, Australia.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis & Frontotemporal Degeneration
|September 11, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Neck flexion weakness in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients is a significant indicator of developing respiratory dysfunction. This simple clinical assessment can predict the need for ventilatory support.

Keywords:
Forced vital capacityamyotrophic lateral sclerosisneck weakness

More Related Videos

Utility of Dissociated Intrinsic Hand Muscle Atrophy in the Diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
08:16

Utility of Dissociated Intrinsic Hand Muscle Atrophy in the Diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Published on: March 4, 2014

33.1K
Functional and Morphological Assessment of Diaphragm Innervation by Phrenic Motor Neurons
09:43

Functional and Morphological Assessment of Diaphragm Innervation by Phrenic Motor Neurons

Published on: May 25, 2015

18.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 18, 2026

Repeated Measurement of Respiratory Muscle Activity and Ventilation in Mouse Models of Neuromuscular Disease
09:24

Repeated Measurement of Respiratory Muscle Activity and Ventilation in Mouse Models of Neuromuscular Disease

Published on: April 17, 2017

13.6K
Utility of Dissociated Intrinsic Hand Muscle Atrophy in the Diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
08:16

Utility of Dissociated Intrinsic Hand Muscle Atrophy in the Diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Published on: March 4, 2014

33.1K
Functional and Morphological Assessment of Diaphragm Innervation by Phrenic Motor Neurons
09:43

Functional and Morphological Assessment of Diaphragm Innervation by Phrenic Motor Neurons

Published on: May 25, 2015

18.2K

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pulmonology
  • Biomarkers

Background:

  • Neck flexion (NF) weakness is common in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), especially in advanced stages.
  • The potential of NF weakness as a biomarker for respiratory dysfunction in ALS requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate if neck flexion weakness can serve as a clinical biomarker for the development of respiratory dysfunction in ALS patients.
  • To determine the correlation between NF weakness and respiratory function parameters.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective recruitment of 62 ALS patients.
  • Assessment of neck flexion strength using the Medical Research Council (MRC) score and handheld dynamometry (HHD).
  • Evaluation of respiratory function via spirometry, measuring forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1).

Main Results:

  • Neck flexion weakness (MRC ≤4) was observed in 27% of ALS patients.
  • Significant reduction in FVC was noted in patients with NF weakness compared to those with normal NF.
  • HHD measurements of NF strength strongly correlated with FVC and FEV1, particularly in bulbar-onset ALS.
  • NF weakness (MRC ≤4) significantly predicted reduced FVC (≤50% predicted), indicating a need for ventilatory support.

Conclusions:

  • Neck flexion weakness, assessed by MRC score and HHD, is a valuable marker for respiratory dysfunction in ALS.
  • This clinical assessment can help identify patients at risk of respiratory compromise and the need for ventilatory support.