Upper airway and diaphragm muscle responses to chemical stimulation and loading

1982 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 1133-1137 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. B. Patrick ◽  
K. P. Strohl ◽  
S. B. Rubin ◽  
M. D. Altose
Keyword(s):  
Upper Airway ◽  
Chemical Stimulation ◽  
Diaphragm Muscle ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Respiratory Drive ◽  
Inspiratory Resistance ◽  
Upper Airway Muscles ◽  
Muscle Responses ◽  
Inspiratory Load ◽  
Parallel Fashion

Previous studies suggest that upper airway muscles in humans respond to changes in chemical respiratory drive in a fashion similar to the diaphragm. To test this hypothesis, in nine seated healthy subjects we monitored electromyographic (EMG) activity from the alae nasi (AN), genioglossus (GG), and diaphragm (DI) not only in response to progressive isocapnic hypoxia and hyperoxic hypercapnia but also to hyperoxic hypercapnia with and without an external inspiratory resistance (15 cmH2O X 1(-1) X s). There were linear increases in DI, GG, and AN in response to increasing chemical drive, but the AN in one subject and the GG in another subject did not respond to hypoxia or hypercapnia. In response to an inspiratory load, subjects decreased ventilation (P less than 0.01) and increased AN, GG, and DI EMG activity (P less than 0.05); however, one subject did not show an AN response to either increased chemical drive or ventilatory loading. We conclude that muscles of the upper airway and the diaphragm are generally activated in a parallel fashion as respiration is stimulated by hypoxia, hypercapnia, and increased inspiratory resistance.

scholarly journals Common drive to the upper airway muscle genioglossus during inspiratory loading

2015 ◽  
Vol 114 (5) ◽  
pp. 2883-2892 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Woods ◽  
Christian L. Nicholas ◽  
John G. Semmler ◽  
Julia K. M. Chan ◽  
Amy S. Jordan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Upper Airway ◽  
Motor Units ◽  
Quadratic Functions ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Respiratory Drive ◽  
Activation Effect ◽  
Single Motor Unit ◽  
Common Drive ◽  
Load Discharge ◽  
Inspiratory Load

Common drive is thought to constitute a central mechanism by which the efficiency of a motor neuron pool is increased. This study tested the hypothesis that common drive to the upper airway muscle genioglossus (GG) would increase with increased respiratory drive in response to an inspiratory load. Respiration, GG electromyographic (EMG) activity, single-motor unit activity, and coherence in the 0–5 Hz range between pairs of GG motor units were assessed for the 30 s before an inspiratory load, the first and second 30 s of the load, and the 30 s after the load. Twelve of twenty young, healthy male subjects provided usable data, yielding 77 pairs of motor units: 2 Inspiratory Phasic, 39 Inspiratory Tonic, 15 Expiratory Tonic, and 21 Tonic. Respiratory and GG inspiratory activity significantly increased during the loads and returned to preload levels during the postload periods (all showed significant quadratic functions over load trials, P < 0.05). As hypothesized, common drive increased during the load in inspiratory modulated motor units to a greater extent than in expiratory/tonic motor units (significant load × discharge pattern interaction, P < 0.05). Furthermore, this effect persisted during the postload period. In conclusion, common drive to inspiratory modulated motor units was elevated in response to increased respiratory drive. The postload elevation in common drive was suggestive of a poststimulus activation effect.

Respiratory-related activity of soft palate muscles: augmentation by negative upper airway pressure

1994 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 424-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Van der Touw ◽  
N. O'Neill ◽  
A. Brancatisano ◽  
T. Amis ◽  
J. Wheatley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soft Palate ◽  
Airway Pressure ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Substantial Contribution ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Nasal Breathing ◽  
Related Activity ◽  
Tracheal Pressure ◽  
Upper Airway Muscles ◽  
Muscle Responses

We studied respiratory-related activity of the soft palate muscles in 10 anesthetized tracheostomized supine dogs. Moving time average (MTA) electromyographic (EMG) activity was measured in the palatinus (PAL), levator veli palatini (LP), and tensor veli palatini (TP) with bipolar fine-wire electrodes and in the diaphragm with bipolar hook electrodes. Measurements were made during tracheostomy breathing and nasal breathing with the mouth sealed (NB). During tracheostomy breathing, all soft palate muscles displayed respiratory-related phasic inspiratory and expiratory as well as tonic EMG activity. During NB, peak inspiratory EMG activity increased in PAL, LP, and TP because of an increase in both phasic inspiratory and tonic MTA activity. In contrast, phasic expiratory activity did not change. A constant negative pressure equal to peak inspiratory tracheal pressure during NB was applied to the caudal end of the isolated upper airway with the nose occluded. This was associated with soft palate muscle responses qualitatively similar to the responses during NB but accounted for only 39, 25, and 32% of the magnitude of the peak inspiratory MTA EMG responses to NB in PAL, LP, and TP, respectively. Our results demonstrate that the soft palate muscles exhibit respiratory-related activity in common with other upper airway muscles. Furthermore, such activity is augmented in each soft palate muscle during NB, and negative upper airway pressure makes a substantial contribution to the recruitment of soft palate muscle activity.

Respiratory muscle responses to changes in chemoreceptor drive in infants

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 1041-1047 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. A. Carlo ◽  
J. M. DiFiore
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Respiratory Muscle ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Respiratory Muscles ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Obstructive Apnea ◽  
Surface Electrodes ◽  
Posterior Cricoarytenoid ◽  
Upper Airway Muscles ◽  
Muscle Responses

Upper airway muscles and the diaphragm may have different quantitative responses to chemoreceptor stimulation. To compare the respiratory muscle responses to changes in CO2, 10 ventilator-dependent preterm infants (gestational age 28 +/- 1 wk, postnatal age 40 +/- 6 days, weight 1.4 +/- 0.1 kg) were passively hyperventilated to apnea and subsequently hypoventilated. Electromyograms from the genioglossus, alae nasi, posterior cricoarytenoid, and diaphragm were recorded from surface electrodes. Apneic CO2 thresholds of all upper airway muscles (genioglossus 46.8 +/- 4.3 Torr, alae nasi 42.4 +/- 3.6 Torr, posterior cricoarytenoid 41.6 +/- 3.2 Torr) were higher than those of the diaphragm (38.8 +/- 2.6 Torr, all P less than 0.05). Above their CO2 threshold levels, responses of all upper airway muscles appeared proportional to those of the diaphragm. We conclude that nonproportional responses of the respiratory muscles to hypercapnia may be the result of differences in their CO2 threshold. These differences in CO2 threshold may cause imbalance in respiratory muscle activation with changes in chemical drive, leading to upper airway instability and obstructive apnea.

Soft palate muscle activity in response to hypoxic hypercapnia

1994 ◽  
Vol 77 (6) ◽  
pp. 2600-2605 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Van der Touw ◽  
N. O'Neill ◽  
T. Amis ◽  
J. Wheatley ◽  
A. Brancatisano
Keyword(s):  
Soft Palate ◽  
Minute Ventilation ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Respiratory Drive ◽  
Breathing Control ◽  
Fine Wire ◽  
Time Average ◽  
Reflex Control ◽  
Local Reflex

We studied the effects of increasing respiratory drive on electromyographic (EMG) soft palate muscle (SPM) activity in nine anesthetized tracheostomy-breathing dogs during hypoxic hypercapnia (HH) with a 14% O2–8% CO2–78% N2 inspired gas mixture. Moving time average EMG activity was recorded from palatinus (PAL), levator veli palatini (LP), and tensor veli palatini (TP) muscles (with bipolar fine-wire electrodes) and diaphragm (DIA; with bipolar hook electrodes). During HH, peak inspiratory DIA activity increased from 18.8 +/- 1.3 to 30.1 +/- 2.0 arbitrary units and minute ventilation increased from 6.2 +/- 0.3 to 18.3 +/- 1.8 l/min (both P < 0.001). Phasic inspiratory, expiratory, and/or tonic EMG activity was present in each SPM during room air breathing (control) and increased during HH (P < 0.05), except for phasic inspiratory PAL and phasic expiratory TP activities. Peak inspiratory LP and TP activities increased during HH to 250 and 179% of control, respectively, and peak expiratory activity increased to 187, 235, and 181% of control in PAL, LP, and TP, respectively. These findings demonstrate respiratory-related regulation of SPM activity independent of local reflex control from the upper airway. However, the combined inspiratory and expiratory phasic recruitment of these muscles differs from the inspiratory recruitment of known upper airway dilator muscles.

Arousal and ventilatory responses during sleep in children with obstructive sleep apnea

1998 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. 1926-1936 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carole L. Marcus ◽  
Janita Lutz ◽  
John L. Carroll ◽  
Owen Bamford
Keyword(s):  
Obstructive Sleep Apnea ◽  
Sleep Apnea ◽  
Sleep Apnea Syndrome ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Respiratory Drive ◽  
Ventilatory Control ◽  
Arousal Threshold ◽  
Ventilatory Responses ◽  
Obstructive Sleep ◽  
Upper Airway Muscles

Abnormal central regulation of upper airway muscles may contribute to the pathophysiology of the childhood obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). We hypothesized that this was secondary to global abnormalities of ventilatory control during sleep. We therefore compared the response to chemical stimuli during sleep between prepubertal children with OSAS and controls. Patients with OSAS aroused at a higher[Formula: see text] (58 ± 2 vs. 60 ± 5 Torr, P < 0.05); those with the highest apnea index had the highest arousal threshold ( r = 0.52, P < 0.05). The hypercapnic arousal threshold decreased after treatment. For all subjects, hypoxia was a poor stimulus to arousal, whereas hypercapnia and, particularly, hypoxic hypercapnia were potent stimuli to arousal. Hypercapnia resulted in decreased airway obstruction in OSAS. Ventilatory responses were similar between patients with OSAS and controls; however, the sample size was small. We conclude that children with OSAS have slightly blunted arousal responses to hypercapnia. However, the overall ventilatory and arousal responses are normal in children with OSAS, indicating that a global deficit in respiratory drive is not a major factor in the etiology of childhood OSAS. Nevertheless, subtle abnormalities in ventilatory control may exist.

Movement of the human upper airway during inspiration with and without inspiratory resistive loading

2011 ◽  
Vol 110 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Cheng ◽  
J. E. Butler ◽  
S. C. Gandevia ◽  
L. E. Bilston
Keyword(s):  
Soft Palate ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Spatial Modulation ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Anterior Border ◽  
Resistive Loading ◽  
Airway Walls ◽  
Upper Airway Muscles ◽  
The Relationship

The electromyographic (EMG) activity of human upper airway muscles, particularly the genioglossus, has been widely measured, but the relationship between EMG activity and physical movement of the airway muscles remains unclear. We aimed to measure the motion of the soft tissues surrounding the airway during normal and loaded inspiration on the basis of the hypothesis that this motion would be affected by the addition of resistance to breathing during inspiration. Tagged MR imaging of seven healthy subjects was performed in a 3-T scanner. Tagged 8.6-mm-spaced grids were used, and complementary spatial modulation of magnetization images were acquired beginning ∼200 ms before inspiratory airflow. Deformation of tag line intersections was measured. The genioglossus moved anteriorly during normal and loaded inspiration, with less movement during loaded inspiration. The motion of tissues at the anterior border of the upper airway was nonuniform, with larger motions inferiorly. At the level of the soft palate, the lateral dimension of the airway decreased significantly during loaded inspiration (−0.15 ± 0.09 and −0.48 ± 0.09 mm during unloaded and loaded inspiration, respectively, P < 0.05). When resistance to inspiratory flow was added, genioglossus motion and lateral dimensions of the airway at the level of the soft palate decreased. Our results suggest that genioglossus motion begins early to dilate the airway prior to airflow and that inspiratory loading reduces the anterior motion of the genioglossus and increases the collapse of the lateral airway walls at the level of the soft palate.

Breathing route influences upper airway muscle activity in awake normal adults

1989 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 1766-1771 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Basner ◽  
P. M. Simon ◽  
R. M. Schwartzstein ◽  
S. E. Weinberger ◽  
J. W. Weiss
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Minute Ventilation ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Mouth Breathing ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Bipolar Electrodes ◽  
Inspiratory Resistance ◽  
Topical Nasal Anesthesia

Both nasal obstruction and nasal anesthesia result in disordered breathing during sleep in humans, and bypassing the nasal route during tidal breathing in experimental animals produces decreased electromyographic activity of upper airway (UA) dilating muscles. To investigate UA responses to breathing route in normal awake humans, we studied eight healthy males (ages 21–38 yr) during successive trials of voluntary nose breathing (N), voluntary mouth breathing (M), and mouth breathing with nose occluded (MO). We measured genioglossus electromyographic activity (EMGgg) with perorally inserted bipolar electrodes, alae nasi (EMGan) and diaphragm EMG activity (EMGdi) with surface electrodes, and minute ventilation (VE) with a pneumotachograph. Mean phasic inspiratory EMG activity of both UA muscles was significantly greater during N than during M or MO, even when a 2.5-cmH2O.l-1.s inspiratory resistance was added to MO (P less than 0.01). In contrast, neither EMGdi nor VE was consistently affected by breathing route. EMGgg during N was significantly decreased after selective topical nasal anesthesia (P less than 0.002); a decrease in EMGan did not achieve statistical significance. These data suggest that peak UA dilating muscle activity may be modulated by superficial receptors in the nasal mucosa sensitive to airflow.

scholarly journals Activation of upper airway muscles during breathing and swallowing

2014 ◽  
Vol 116 (3) ◽  
pp. 291-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph F. Fregosi ◽  
Christy L. Ludlow
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Fiber ◽  
Functional Anatomy ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Muscular Activity ◽  
Respiratory Drive ◽  
Muscle Control ◽  
Solo Performance ◽  
Laryngeal Muscles ◽  
Upper Airway Muscles

The upper airway is a complex muscular tube that is used by the respiratory and digestive systems. The upper airway is invested with several small and anatomically peculiar muscles. The muscle fiber orientations and their nervous innervation are both extremely complex, and how the activity of the muscles is initiated and adjusted during complex behaviors is poorly understood. The bulk of the evidence suggests that the entire assembly of tongue and laryngeal muscles operate together but differently during breathing and swallowing, like a ballet rather than a solo performance. Here we review the functional anatomy of the tongue and laryngeal muscles, and their neural innervation. We also consider how muscular activity is altered as respiratory drive changes, and briefly address upper airway muscle control during swallowing.

Soft palate muscle responses to negative upper airway pressure

1999 ◽  
Vol 86 (2) ◽  
pp. 523-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. C. Amis ◽  
N. O’Neill ◽  
J. R. Wheatley ◽  
T. van der Touw ◽  
E. di Somma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soft Palate ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Airway Pressure ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Afferent Activity ◽  
Afferent Pathways ◽  
Levator Veli Palatini ◽  
Anesthetized Dogs ◽  
Muscle Responses

The afferent pathways and upper airway receptor locations involved in negative upper airway pressure (NUAP) augmentation of soft palate muscle activity have not been defined. We studied the electromyographic (EMG) response to NUAP for the palatinus, tensor veli palatini, and levator veli palatini muscles in 11 adult, supine, tracheostomized, anesthetized dogs. NUAP was applied to the nasal or laryngeal end of the isolated upper airway in six dogs and to four to six serial upper airway sites from the nasal cavity to the subglottis in five dogs. When NUAP was applied at the larynx, peak inspiratory EMG activity for the palatinus and tensor increased significantly ( P< 0.05) and plateaued at a NUAP of −10 cmH2O. Laryngeal NUAP failed to increase levator activity consistently. Nasal NUAP did not increase EMG activity for any muscle. Consistent NUAP reflex recruitment of soft palate muscle activity only occurred when the larynx was exposed to the stimulus and, furthermore, was abolished by bilateral section of the internal branches of the superior laryngeal nerves. We conclude that soft palate muscle activity may be selectively modulated by afferent activity originating in the laryngeal and hypopharyngeal airway.

Blood flow distribution to upper airway muscles

1993 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 1928-1933 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Brancatisano ◽  
W. T. Kelly ◽  
E. M. Baile ◽  
P. Pare ◽  
L. A. Engel
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Spontaneous Breathing ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Flow Distribution ◽  
Unit Weight ◽  
Inspiratory Muscles ◽  
Posterior Cricoarytenoid Muscle ◽  
Inspiratory Resistance ◽  
Posterior Cricoarytenoid ◽  
Upper Airway Muscles

Radiolabeled (15-microns) microspheres were used to measure blood flow to upper airway muscles [alae nasi (AN), intrinsic laryngeal, tongue, cervical strap, and hyoid musculature], diaphragm (DI), and parasternals (PS) during spontaneous breathing in 24 anesthetized tracheotomized supine dogs. Six dogs were also studied while -28 +/- 3 (SE) cmH2O tracheal airway pressure was generated against an inspiratory resistance (IR) (upper airway bypassed). Blood flow to posterior cricoarytenoid muscle (PCA) [24.0 +/- 2.1 (SE) ml.min-1.100 g-1] was greater than that to DI (18.0 +/- 2.3 ml.min-1.100 g-1) and comparable to that to PS (21.4 +/- 2.9 ml.min-1.100 g-1). Blood flow per unit weight did not differ between AN, tongue muscles, laryngeal adductors, cervical strap muscles, and cricothyroid (CT). Average blood flow to these muscles was only 8.0 +/- 0.8 ml.min-1.100 g-1. With the exception of CT, blood flow to these upper airway muscles was less than that to DI and PCA. Relative to blood flow during spontaneous breathing, IR loading increased blood flow to AN by a factor of 7.5, to PCA by 3.4, to DI by 3.2 and to PS by 1.9. There was no change in blood flow in the other muscles during loading. Our results show that at rest blood flow to main glottic dilator (PCA) is similar to that to main inspiratory muscles. Furthermore, in response to an IR load, blood flow to PCA and AN increased by an equivalent or greater amount than that to DI.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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