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Basics of Respiratory Mechanics and Artificial Ventilation pp 145–152Cite as

How the diaphragm works in normal subjects

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Part of the book series: Topics in Anaesthesia and Critical Care ((TIACC))

Abstract

About 25 years ago, it was proposed that the diaphragm was the only inspiratory muscle active in quiet breathing, but subsequent work has shown that this is not the case. Indeed most recent developments have been in understanding the inter relations between the actions of the diaphragm and the muscles acting on the rib cage and abdominal muscles. Thus, while the diaphragm plays the major role in sustaining ventilation, it is not absolutely essential for life; other muscles can sustain ventilation — albeit with little reserve capacity for use on exercise — when there is undoubted bilateral diaphragm paralysis [1].

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Authors
  1. N. B. Pride
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

    J. Milic-Emili MD

  2. Department of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Therapy, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Italy

    U. Lucangelo MD

  3. Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, New S. Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy

    A. Pesenti MD

  4. Department of Biophysic “Carlos Chagas Filho” Laboratory of Respiratory Physiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    W. A. Zin MD

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© 1999 Springer-Verlag Italia, Milano

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Pride, N.B. (1999). How the diaphragm works in normal subjects. In: Milic-Emili, J., Lucangelo, U., Pesenti, A., Zin, W.A. (eds) Basics of Respiratory Mechanics and Artificial Ventilation. Topics in Anaesthesia and Critical Care. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2273-7_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2273-7_12

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-0046-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-2273-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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