Role of rib cage elastance in the coupling between the abdominal muscles and the lung

2004 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Cappello ◽  
André De Troyer
Keyword(s):  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Abdominal Pressure ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Transverse Diameter ◽  
Rib Cage ◽  
Mechanical Coupling ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Airway Opening ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Anesthetized Dogs

The abdominal muscles expand the rib cage when they contract alone. This expansion opposes the deflation of the lung and may be viewed as pressure dissipation. The hypothesis was raised, therefore, that alterations in rib cage elastance should affect the lung deflating action of these muscles. To test this hypothesis and evaluate the quantitative importance of this effect, we measured the changes in airway opening pressure (Pao), abdominal pressure (Pab), and rib cage transverse diameter during isolated stimulation of the transversus abdominis muscle in anesthetized dogs, first with the rib cage intact and then after rib cage elastance was increased by clamping the ribs and the sternum. Stimulation produced increases in Pao, Pab, and rib cage diameter in both conditions. With the ribs and sternum clamped, however, the change in Pab was unchanged but the change in Pao was increased by 77% ( P < 0.001). In a second experiment, the transversus abdominis was stimulated before and after rib cage elastance was reduced by removing the bony ribs 3–8. Although the change in Pab after removal of the the ribs was still unchanged, the change in Pao was reduced by 62% ( P < 0.001). These observations, supported by a model analysis, indicate that rib cage elastance is a major determinant of the mechanical coupling between the abdominal muscles and the lung. In fact, in the dog, the effects of rib cage elastance and Pab on the lung-deflating action of the abdominal muscles are of the same order of magnitude.

Respiratory muscle coordination and diaphragm length during expiratory threshold loading

1991 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 1554-1562 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Road ◽  
A. M. Leevers ◽  
E. Goldman ◽  
A. Grassino
Keyword(s):  
Lung Volume ◽  
Respiratory Muscle ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Muscle Coordination ◽  
Rib Cage ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Volume Functional ◽  
Residual Capacity ◽  
Anesthetized Dogs ◽  
Expiratory Muscles

Active expiration is produced by the abdominal muscles and the rib cage expiratory muscles. We hypothesized that the relative contribution of these two groups to expiration would affect diaphragmatic length and, hence, influence the subsequent inspiration. To address this question we measured the respiratory muscle response to expiratory threshold loading in spontaneously breathing anesthetized dogs. Prevagotomy, the increase in lung volume (functional residual capacity) and decrease in initial resting length of the diaphragm were attenuated by greater than 50% of values predicted by the passive relationships. Diaphragmatic activation (electromyogram) increased and tidal volume (VT) was preserved. Postvagotomy, effective expiratory muscle recruitment was abolished. The triangularis sterni muscle remained active, and the increase in lung volume was attenuated by less than 15% of that predicted by the passive relationship. Diaphragmatic length was shorter than predicted. VT was not restored, even though costal diaphragmatic and parasternal intercostal electromyogram increased. During expiratory threshold loading with abdominal muscles resected and vagus intact, recruitment of the rib cage expiratory muscles produced a reduction in lung volume comparable with prevagotomy; however, diaphragmatic length decreased markedly. Both the rib cage and abdominal expiratory muscles may defend lung volume; however, their combined action is important to restore diaphragmatic initial length and, accordingly, to preserve VT.

Pleural pressure increases during inspiration in the zone of apposition of diaphragm to rib cage

1988 ◽  
Vol 65 (5) ◽  
pp. 2207-2212 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. F. Urmey ◽  
A. De Troyer ◽  
K. B. Kelly ◽  
S. H. Loring
Keyword(s):  
Esophageal Pressure ◽  
Pleural Pressure ◽  
Abdominal Pressure ◽  
Transdiaphragmatic Pressure ◽  
Rib Cage ◽  
Direct Measurements ◽  
Anesthetized Dogs ◽  
Theoretical Mechanism ◽  
Phrenic Stimulation ◽  
Anatomic Region

The zone of apposition of diaphragm to rib cage provides a theoretical mechanism that may, in part, contribute to rib cage expansion during inspiration. Increases in intra-abdominal pressure (Pab) that are generated by diaphragmatic contraction are indirectly applied to the inner rib cage wall in the zone of apposition. We explored this mechanism, with the expectation that pleural pressure in this zone (Pap) would increase during inspiration and that local transdiaphragmatic pressure in this zone (Pdiap) must be different from conventionally determined transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) during inspiration. Direct measurements of Pap, as well as measurements of pleural pressure (Ppl) cephalad to the zone of apposition, were made during tidal inspiration, during phrenic stimulation, and during inspiratory efforts in anesthetized dogs. Pab and esophageal pressure (Pes) were measured simultaneously. By measuring Ppl's with cannulas placed through ribs, we found that Pap consistently increased during both maneuvers, whereas Ppl and Pes decreased. Whereas changes in Pdi of up to -19 cmH2O were measured, Pdiap never departed from zero by greater than -4.5 cmH2O. We conclude that there can be marked regional differences in Ppl and Pdi between the zone of apposition and regions cephalad to the zone. Our results support the concept of the zone of apposition as an anatomic region where Pab is transmitted to the interior surface of the lower rib cage.

Human respiratory muscle actions and control during exercise

1997 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 1256-1269 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Aliverti ◽  
S. J. Cala ◽  
R. Duranti ◽  
G. Ferrigno ◽  
C. M. Kenyon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Volume ◽  
Respiratory Muscle ◽  
Abdominal Muscle ◽  
Abdominal Pressure ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Quiet Breathing ◽  
Rib Cage ◽  
Velocity Of Shortening ◽  
And Control ◽  
Muscle Actions

Aliverti, A., S. J. Cala, R. Duranti, G. Ferrigno, C. M. Kenyon, A. Pedotti, G. Scano, P. Sliwinski, Peter T. Macklem, and S. Yan. Human respiratory muscle actions and control during exercise. J. Appl. Physiol. 83(4): 1256–1269, 1997.—We measured pressures and power of diaphragm, rib cage, and abdominal muscles during quiet breathing (QB) and exercise at 0, 30, 50, and 70% maximum workload (W˙max) in five men. By three-dimensional tracking of 86 chest wall markers, we calculated the volumes of lung- and diaphragm-apposed rib cage compartments (Vrc,p and Vrc,a, respectively) and the abdomen (Vab). End-inspiratory lung volume increased with percentage of W˙max as a result of an increase in Vrc,p and Vrc,a. End-expiratory lung volume decreased as a result of a decrease in Vab. ΔVrc,a/ΔVab was constant and independent ofW˙max. Thus we used ΔVab/time as an index of diaphragm velocity of shortening. From QB to 70%W˙max, diaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) increased ∼2-fold, diaphragm velocity of shortening 6.5-fold, and diaphragm workload 13-fold. Abdominal muscle pressure was ∼0 during QB but was equal to and 180° out of phase with rib cage muscle pressure at all percent W˙max. Rib cage muscle pressure and abdominal muscle pressure were greater than Pdi, but the ratios of these pressures were constant. There was a gradual inspiratory relaxation of abdominal muscles, causing abdominal pressure to fall, which minimized Pdi and decreased the expiratory action of the abdominal muscles on Vrc,a gradually, minimizing rib cage distortions. We conclude that from QB to 0% W˙max there is a switch in respiratory muscle control, with immediate recruitment of rib cage and abdominal muscles. Thereafter, a simple mechanism that increases drive equally to all three muscle groups, with drive to abdominal and rib cage muscles 180° out of phase, allows the diaphragm to contract quasi-isotonically and act as a flow generator, while rib cage and abdominal muscles develop the pressures to displace the rib cage and abdomen, respectively. This acts to equalize the pressures acting on both rib cage compartments, minimizing rib cage distortion .

scholarly journals Impact of acute ascites on the action of the canine abdominal muscles

2008 ◽  
Vol 104 (6) ◽  
pp. 1568-1573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitri Leduc ◽  
André De Troyer
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Length ◽  
Abdominal Muscle ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Oblique Muscle ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Control Value ◽  
Airway Opening ◽  
Internal Oblique ◽  
Resting Muscle

Although ascites causes abdominal expansion, its effects on abdominal muscle function are uncertain. In the present study, progressively increasing ascites was induced in supine anesthetized dogs, and the changes in abdominal (ΔPab) and airway opening (ΔPao) pressure obtained during stimulation of the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles were measured; the changes in internal oblique muscle length were also measured. As ascites increased from 0 to 100 ml/kg body wt, Pab and muscle length during relaxation increased. ΔPab also showed a threefold increase ( P < 0.001). However, ΔPao decreased ( P < 0.001). When ascites increased further to 200 ml/kg, resting muscle length continued to increase and muscle shortening during stimulation became very small so that active muscle length was 155% of the resting muscle length in the control condition. Concomitantly, ΔPab returned to the control value, and ΔPao continued to decrease. Similar results were obtained with the animals in the head-up posture, although the decrease in ΔPao appeared only when ascites was greater than 125 ml/kg. It is concluded that 1) ascites adversely affects the expiratory action of the abdominal muscles on the lung; 2) this effect results primarily from the increase in diaphragm elastance; and 3) when ascites is severe, the abdomen cross-sectional area is also increased and the abdominal muscles are excessively lengthened so that their active pressure-generating ability itself is reduced.

Role of triangularis sterni during coughing and sneezing in dogs

1988 ◽  
Vol 65 (6) ◽  
pp. 2440-2445 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. van Lunteren ◽  
M. A. Haxhiu ◽  
N. S. Cherniack ◽  
J. S. Arnold
Keyword(s):  
Nasal Mucosa ◽  
Respiratory Activity ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
Rib Cage ◽  
Anesthetized Dogs

Studies in mammals have found that during breathing the triangularis sterni (TS) muscle regulates expiratory airflow and the end-expiratory position of the rib cage and furthermore that the respiratory activity of this muscle is influenced by a variety of chemical and mechanical stimuli. To assess the role of the TS during coughing and sneezing, electromyograms (EMGs) recorded from the TS were compared with EMGs of the transversus abdominis (TA) in eight pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs. During coughing induced by mechanically stimulating the trachea or larynx (n = 7 dogs), peak EMGs increased from 23 +/- 2 to 74 +/- 5 U (P less than 0.00002) for the TS and from 21 +/- 6 to 66 +/- 4 U (P less than 0.0002) for the TA. During sneezing induced by mechanically stimulating the nasal mucosa (n = 3 dogs), peak EMG of the TS increased from 10 +/- 3 to 66 +/- 7 U (P less than 0.005) and peak EMG of the TA increased from 10 +/- 2 to 73 +/- 7 U (P less than 0.02). For both muscles the shape of the EMG changed to an early peaking form during coughs and sneezes. Peak expiratory airflow during coughs of different intensity correlated more closely with peak TS EMG in three dogs and with peak TA EMG in four dogs; peak expiratory airflow during sneezes of different intensity correlated more closely with peak TS than TA EMG in all three animals. These results suggest that the TS is actively recruited during coughing and sneezing and that different neuromuscular strategies may be utilized to augment expiratory airflow.

Regulation of expiratory muscles during postnatal development in anesthetized piglets

1993 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. 2655-2660 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Litmanovitz ◽  
R. J. Martin ◽  
M. A. Haxhiu ◽  
L. Cattarossi ◽  
B. Haxhiu-Poskurica ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Postnatal Development ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Respiratory Control ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Vagal Afferents ◽  
Postnatal Life ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Rib Cage ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Expiratory Muscles

We compared maturation of the responses of the rib cage [triangularis sterni (TS)] and abdominal [transversus abdominis (TA)] expiratory muscles with each other and with the responses of the diaphragm (DIA) during hypercarbic and hypoxic stimulation. Studies were performed in anesthetized (urethan and chloralose) piglets of two age groups (< 6 days, n = 10; 14–21 days, n = 11) before and after bilateral cervical vagotomy. Hypercarbia (7% CO2–93% O2) was associated with comparable sustained increases in the minute electromyograms (EMGs) of both TS and TA, which were closely coupled to the DIA responses in both age groups. Hypoxia (12% O2–88% N2) caused a biphasic response of the minute EMG of both expiratory muscles and DIA; these biphasic responses were less prominent at 14-21 days than at < 6 days. Vagotomy caused an increase in the amplitude of both TS and TA (38 +/- 30 and 27 +/- 21%, respectively) as well as the DIA (45 +/- 16%) but did not affect their relative responses to chemostimulation. We conclude that during postnatal development 1) the rib cage and abdominal expiratory muscle responses to chemostimulation are coupled to each other and parallel those of the DIA and 2) the presence of vagal afferents attenuates the drive to both inspiratory and expiratory motoneurons under the current experimental conditions but does not influence the relative responses of expiratory muscles and DIA to hypercarbia or hypoxia. We speculate that comparable activation of inspiratory and expiratory pumping muscles serves to stabilize respiratory control in the face of altered chemosensory or vagal inputs during early postnatal life.

Partitioning of inspiratory pressure swings between diaphragm and intercostal/accessory muscles

1978 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 200-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. T. Macklem ◽  
D. Gross ◽  
G. A. Grassino ◽  
C. Roussos
Keyword(s):  
Total Pressure ◽  
Pleural Pressure ◽  
Inspiratory Pressure ◽  
Abdominal Pressure ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Transdiaphragmatic Pressure ◽  
Rib Cage ◽  
Accessory Muscle ◽  
Inspiratory Muscles ◽  
Accessory Muscles

We tested the hypothesis that the inspiratory pressure swings across the rib-cage pathway are the sum of transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) and the pressures developed by the intercostal/accessory muscles (Pic). If correct, Pic can only contribute to lowering pleural pressure (Ppl), to the extent that it lowers abdominal pressure (Pab). To test this we measured Pab and Ppl during during Mueller maneuvers in which deltaPab = 0. Because there was no outward displacement of the rib cage, Pic must have contributed to deltaPpl, as did Pdi. Under these conditions the total pressure developed by the inspiratory muscles across the rib-cage pathway was less than Pdi + Pic. Therefore, we rejected the hypothesis. A plot of Pab vs. Ppl during relaxation allows partitioning of the diaphragmatic and intercostal/accessory muscle contributions to inspiratory pressure swings. The analysis indicates that the diaphragm can act both as a fixator, preventing transmission of Ppl to the abdomen and as an agonist. When abdominal muscles remain relaxed it only assumes the latter role to the extent that Pab increases.

Mechanism of the increased rib cage expansion produced by the diaphragm with abdominal support

2015 ◽  
Vol 118 (8) ◽  
pp. 989-995 ◽  
Author(s):  
André De Troyer ◽  
Theodore A. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Wall ◽  
Pleural Pressure ◽  
Vector Analysis ◽  
Abdominal Pressure ◽  
Mechanical Support ◽  
Rib Cage ◽  
Intercostal Muscles ◽  
Anesthetized Dogs ◽  
External Forces

When the abdomen in quadriplegic subjects is given a passive mechanical support, the expansion of the lower rib cage during inspiration is greater and the inward displacement of the upper rib cage is smaller. These changes have traditionally been attributed to an increase in the appositional force of the diaphragm, but the mechanisms have not been assessed. In this study, the inspiratory intercostal muscles in all interspaces were severed in anesthetized dogs, so that the diaphragm was the only muscle active during inspiration, and the displacements of the ribs 10 and 5 and the changes in pleural and abdominal pressure were measured during unimpeded breathing and during breathing with a plate applied on the ventral abdominal wall. In addition, external forces were applied to the 10th rib pair in the cranial and lateral directions, and the rib trajectories thus obtained were used as the basis for a vector analysis to estimate the relative contributions of the insertional and appositional forces to the rib 10 displacements during breathing. Application of the abdominal plate caused a marked increase in the inspiratory cranial and outward displacement of rib 10 and a decrease in the inspiratory caudal displacement of rib 5. Analysis of the results showed, however, that 1) the insertional and appositional forces contributed nearly equally to the increased inspiratory displacement of rib 10 and 2) the decrease in the expiratory displacement of rib 5 was the result of both the greater displacement of the lower ribs and the decrease in pleural pressure.

scholarly journals Changes in intra-abdominal pressure during postural and respiratory activation of the human diaphragm

2000 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 967-976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul W. Hodges ◽  
Simon C. Gandevia
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Cavity ◽  
Limb Movement ◽  
Erector Spinae ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Trunk Muscles ◽  
Abdominal Pressure ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Repetitive Movement ◽  
The Stability

In humans, when the stability of the trunk is challenged in a controlled manner by repetitive movement of a limb, activity of the diaphragm becomes tonic but is also modulated at the frequency of limb movement. In addition, the tonic activity is modulated by respiration. This study investigated the mechanical output of these components of diaphragm activity. Recordings were made of costal diaphragm, abdominal, and erector spinae muscle electromyographic activity; intra-abdominal, intrathoracic, and transdiaphragmatic pressures; and motion of the rib cage, abdomen, and arm. During limb movement the diaphragm and transversus abdominis were tonically active with added phasic modulation at the frequencies of both respiration and limb movement. Activity of the other trunk muscles was not modulated by respiration. Intra-abdominal pressure was increased during the period of limb movement in proportion to the reactive forces from the movement. These results show that coactivation of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles causes a sustained increase in intra-abdominal pressure, whereas inspiration and expiration are controlled by opposing activity of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles to vary the shape of the pressurized abdominal cavity.

scholarly journals Surface electromyography comparison of the abdominal hypopressive gymnastics against the prone bridge exercise

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-246
Author(s):  
Gonzalo Alfonso Quiroz Sandoval ◽  
Nathalie Tabilo ◽  
Cristóbal Bahamondes ◽  
Pilar Bralic
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Wall ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Surface Electromyography ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Abdominal Pressure ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
External Oblique ◽  
Internal Oblique

Objectives: Abdominal hypopressive gymnastics (AHG) is a little-researched method designed to train the muscles of the abdominal wall and pelvic floor under low stress. This study’s objective is to compare levels of muscle activation in AHG against prone bridge by surface electromyography (sEMG) of the abdominal wall muscles. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects were enrolled to measure the muscle activity of the rectus abdominis (RA), transversus abdominis/internal oblique (Tra/IO), and external oblique (EO) during three exercises: prone bridge (PB), orthostatic hypopressive (OH), and hypopressive bridge (HB). Root mean square values normalized to the PB (%PB) as a baseline were used to compare the PB against OH and HB. Results: The median PB ratio (%PB) for the Tra/IO showed –10.31% and +59.7% activation during OH and the HB, respectively, whereas the RA showed –77.8% and +19.3% and the EO –39.8% and +9.8%. Significant differences were found for all muscles except the Tra/IO during the OH. Conclusion: This study’s results suggest that hypopressive exercises facilitate the activation of the Tra/IO similar to bridge exercises while simultaneously reducing RA and EO activity. This suggests that hypopressive training is a valid alternative for activating the abdominal muscles, isolating the Tra/IO at low intra-abdominal pressure.

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