Differential activation of the human costal and crural diaphragm during voluntary and involuntary breaths.

The diaphragm is the primary muscle that generates the negative intrathoracic pressure to drive inspiratory airflow. The diaphragm consists of two parts, the costal and crural portions, with different roles during inspiration in animals, particularly when the stimulus to breathe is increased. In this study, the neural drive to the costal and crural portions of the diaphragm was assessed in nine healthy participants [8 male, aged 32 ± 13 yr (mean ± SD)].

An algorithm for the safety of costal diaphragm electromyography derived from ultrasound.

Introduction: Costal diaphragm electromyography (EMG) remains unpopular due to the risk of pneumothorax. In this study we assessed the safety of the "trans-intercostal" method of diaphragm EMG using B-mode ultrasound.

Methods: Twenty healthy subjects participated in this investigation.