Some Observations on the Co-ordination of Diaphragmatic and Rib Movement in Respiration

Movements of the thoracic cage and diaphragm in respiration*

“…Herxheimer's (1949) assumption that the diaphragm moves more in the erect posture than in the supine during quiet respiration has not been confirmed. Most previous investigators have found the full excursion of the diaphragm in deep breathing to be about 5-7 cm.…”

“…This movement, variable from individual to individual, appears to be produced mainly by movements of extension of the vertebral column, but its presence or absence makes little difference to the extent of diaphragmatic movement, or to the ventilation. Three subjects were examined by the method ingeniously devised by Herxheimer (1949). While records of respiration and of chest and diaphragmatic movements were being made, each subject was asked to start a deep inspiration, to pause for 3 sec when the inspiration was half completed and then to finish the inspiration; they were then asked to breathe out pausing at the same level of respiration again.…”

“…Three subjects were examined by the method ingeniously devised by Herxheimer (1949). While records of respiration and of chest and diaphragmatic movements were being made, each subject was asked to start a deep inspiration, to pause for 3 sec when the inspiration was half completed and then to finish the inspiration; they were then asked to breathe out pausing at the same level of respiration again.…”

“…The relationship between movements of the thoracic cage and the diaphragm has been investigated by Sewall & Pollard (1890) and Staehelin & Schutze (1912) who attempted to assess the diaphragmatic component of respiration by observing changes of circumference of the abdomen, and by Herxheimer (1949) who recorded ventilation with a spirometer and changes of chest circumference with a thoracometer designed by Verzar (1946). None of these workers observed diaphragmatic movements directly.…”

The Reserve Air as an Aid in the Diagnosis of Emphysema

“…This is indeed the case, as I have been able to confirm by comparing the thoracometric and *. spirometric tracings (Herxheimer, 1949). Whereas in the movement of the complemental air the ribs take a great part, the reserve air is mainly' moved by the abdominal muscles causing the upward movement of the diaphragm.…”