Biomaterial Database

Motion of the rib cage and the abdomen in tetraplegic patients. 1978

J P Mortola, and G Sant'Ambrogio

1. We have studied the motion of the abdomen and the rib cage in patients with a transection of the lower cervical spinal cord during normal breathing both in the supine and sitting posture, and compared it with that of normal subjects. 2. In the supine posture the rib cage of a patient moves paradoxically inward, therefore his chest wall is deformed, which explains the high work of breathing. 3. During expiration, beside the recoil of the respiratory system, there is also the recoil of the deformed chest wall, toward its passive configuration, with an expansion of the rib cage above its resting position during the first part of expiration and an alteration of the expiratory flow profile. 4. In a sitting 'relaxed' posture the paradoxical inward motion disappears in the lower rib cage, and it is reduced but still present in the higher rib cage. 5. We conclude that contraction of the diaphragm constricts the 'passive rib cage', either directly through its insertions or indirectly through the reduction of intrathoracic pressure. In seated subjects the diaphragm causes some expansion of the rib cage at its lower level. Therefore the motion of the rib cage is not only related to the balance between the forces developed by the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles, but also to the diaphragm dome configuration, the geometry of the rib cage and the lung volume.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007366	Intercostal Muscles	Respiratory muscles that arise from the lower border of one rib and insert into the upper border of the adjoining rib, and contract during inspiration or respiration. (From Stedman, 25th ed)	Intercostal Muscle,Muscle, Intercostal,Muscles, Intercostal
D008297	Male		Males
D009068	Movement	The act, process, or result of passing from one place or position to another. It differs from LOCOMOTION in that locomotion is restricted to the passing of the whole body from one place to another, while movement encompasses both locomotion but also a change of the position of the whole body or any of its parts. Movement may be used with reference to humans, vertebrate and invertebrate animals, and microorganisms. Differentiate also from MOTOR ACTIVITY, movement associated with behavior.	Movements
D011187	Posture	The position or physical attitude of the body.	Postures
D011782	Quadriplegia	Severe or complete loss of motor function in all four limbs which may result from BRAIN DISEASES; SPINAL CORD DISEASES; PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES; NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASES; or rarely MUSCULAR DISEASES. The locked-in syndrome is characterized by quadriplegia in combination with cranial muscle paralysis. Consciousness is spared and the only retained voluntary motor activity may be limited eye movements. This condition is usually caused by a lesion in the upper BRAIN STEM which injures the descending cortico-spinal and cortico-bulbar tracts.	Quadriparesis,Spastic Quadriplegia,Tetraplegia,Flaccid Quadriplegia,Flaccid Tetraplegia,Paralysis, Spinal, Quadriplegic,Spastic Tetraplegia,Flaccid Quadriplegias,Flaccid Tetraplegias,Quadripareses,Quadriplegia, Flaccid,Quadriplegia, Spastic,Quadriplegias,Quadriplegias, Flaccid,Quadriplegias, Spastic,Spastic Quadriplegias,Spastic Tetraplegias,Tetraplegia, Flaccid,Tetraplegia, Spastic,Tetraplegias,Tetraplegias, Flaccid,Tetraplegias, Spastic
D012129	Respiratory Function Tests	Measurement of the various processes involved in the act of respiration: inspiration, expiration, oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange, lung volume and compliance, etc.	Lung Function Tests,Pulmonary Function Tests,Function Test, Pulmonary,Function Tests, Pulmonary,Pulmonary Function Test,Test, Pulmonary Function,Tests, Pulmonary Function,Function Test, Lung,Function Test, Respiratory,Function Tests, Lung,Function Tests, Respiratory,Lung Function Test,Respiratory Function Test,Test, Lung Function,Test, Respiratory Function,Tests, Lung Function,Tests, Respiratory Function
D012133	Respiratory Paralysis	Complete or severe weakness of the muscles of respiration. This condition may be associated with MOTOR NEURON DISEASES; PERIPHERAL NERVE DISEASES; NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION DISEASES; SPINAL CORD DISEASES; injury to the PHRENIC NERVE; and other disorders.	Diaphragmatic Paralysis,Paralysis, Respiratory Muscle,Muscle Paralyses, Respiratory,Muscle Paralysis, Respiratory,Paralysis, Diaphragmatic,Paralysis, Respiratory,Respiratory Muscle Paralysis
D003964	Diaphragm	The musculofibrous partition that separates the THORACIC CAVITY from the ABDOMINAL CAVITY. Contraction of the diaphragm increases the volume of the thoracic cavity aiding INHALATION.	Respiratory Diaphragm,Diaphragm, Respiratory,Diaphragms,Diaphragms, Respiratory,Respiratory Diaphragms
D005082	Physical Exertion	Expenditure of energy during PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. Intensity of exertion may be measured by rate of OXYGEN CONSUMPTION; HEAT produced, or HEART RATE. Perceived exertion, a psychological measure of exertion, is included.	Physical Effort,Effort, Physical,Efforts, Physical,Exertion, Physical,Exertions, Physical,Physical Efforts,Physical Exertions
D005260	Female		Females