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Respiratory function of the rib cage muscles
J N Han1, G Gayan-Ramirez, R Dekhuijzen
1Respiratory Muscle Research Unit, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
The European Respiratory Journal
|May 1, 1993
Summary
The parasternal intercostal muscles are key for quiet breathing in humans and dogs. Other rib cage muscles, like external intercostals and triangularis sterni, activate for increased ventilation or specific expiratory actions.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Respiratory Mechanics
Background:
- Rib cage expansion during ventilation relies on coordinated muscle actions.
- Understanding the roles of specific muscles is crucial for respiratory physiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the action and interaction of rib cage muscles during ventilation.
- To elucidate the functional significance of different respiratory muscles in humans and animals.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on respiratory muscle function.
- Analysis of muscle activity patterns during quiet and augmented breathing.
Main Results:
- Parasternal intercostal muscles are predominant during quiet breathing in humans and dogs.
- External intercostal muscles show minimal activity during quiet breathing but increase with ventilation, acting as a reserve system.
- Triangularis sterni is active during expiration below functional residual capacity and in non-breathing tasks in humans.
Conclusions:
- The parasternal intercostals are vital for quiet breathing.
- External intercostals and triangularis sterni contribute to augmented ventilation and specific expiratory functions.
- Muscle recruitment patterns vary between quiet and active breathing states.