Respiratory thoraco-abdominal mechanics in man

The behavior of the diaphragm and the thoracic and abdominal muscles during various static and dynamic respiratory maneuvers was studied in six trained men by measuring intrathoracic (esophageal) and intra-abdominal (gastric) pressures together with lung volumes. The static maneuvers included voluntary relaxation of respiratory muscles, maximal inspiratory and expiratory efforts, and maximal abdominal expulsive efforts. The dynamic maneuvers were forced inspiratory and expiratory vital capacities and maximal voluntary ventilation. The patterns during the various respiratory maneuvers were relatively uniform. Although the number of subjects studied was small, our results would appear to give a general description of thoraco-abdominal mechanics, at least in trained subjects. breathing patterns; static respiratory maneuvers; maximal voluntary ventilation; forced inspiration and expiration; dynamic respiratory maneuvers; abdominal pressures and thoracic pressures at varying lung volumes Submitted on May 13, 1963