Thoracic Breathing
Thoracic Breathing - Related Videos
01:05
Breathing
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2019
The process of breathing, inhaling and exhaling, involves the coordinated movement of the chest wall, the lungs, and the muscles that move them. Two muscle groups with important roles in breathing are the diaphragm, located directly below the lungs, and the intercostal muscles, which lie between the ribs. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating more room for the lungs to expand. When the intercostal muscles contract, the ribs...
06:27
Fast and Accurate Exhaled Breath Ammonia Measurement
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Cited by 16 •
2014
Ammonia is an important physiologic metabolite relevant to various disease and wellness states. It is also a difficult molecule to measure in breath, which demands particular precautions be taken to obtain accurate results. Not all factors influencing ammonia are known, but progress can be difficult without accounting for these factors.
06:57
Transaxillary First Rib Resection for Treatment of the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
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Cited by 3 •
2020
Here, we present a protocol of the transaxillary resection of the first rib for treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome caused by compression of the brachial plexus, subclavian vein and artery.
01:15
Thoracic Aorta
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2024
The thoracic section of the aorta begins at the T5 vertebra and extends to the T12 level at the diaphragm, initially progressing through the mediastinum to the left of the spinal column. Throughout its course in the thoracic segment, the thoracic aorta emits various offshoots known collectively as visceral and parietal branches. The branches that predominantly supply blood to visceral organs are termed visceral branches and include bronchial, pericardial, esophageal, and mediastinal arteries,...
09:39
A Microfluidic Model of Biomimetically Breathing Pulmonary Acinar Airways
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Cited by 17 •
2016
Soft-lithography was utilized to produce a representative true-scale model of pulmonary alveolated airways that expand and contract periodically, mimicking physiological breathing motion. This platform recreates respiratory acinar flows on a chip, and is anticipated to facilitate experimental investigation of inhaled aerosol dynamics and deposition in the pulmonary acinus.
FAQs
During inhalation, elevation of the ribs by the external intercostal muscles increases the space within the thorax. That volume change lowers intrathoracic pressure relative to the surrounding environment, allowing air to move into the lungs. The pressure-volume relationship explains why observing rib motion provides information about the mechanical component of ventilation.
Once inhalation has expanded the thorax, the chest wall and lungs tend to recoil, reducing thoracic volume and supporting outward airflow. This recoil-based phase explains why exhalation usually follows inhalation as a restoring movement rather than requiring the same rib-elevating action. Clinically, a change in this sequence may prompt closer assessment of respiratory mechanics.
Symmetry helps clinicians judge whether both sides of the chest are participating similarly in ventilation. Reduced or uneven movement can indicate restricted chest expansion, while visible use of accessory muscles may accompany respiratory distress. These signs are observational clues, so clinicians interpret them alongside respiratory rate and the rest of the physical examination.
During a physical examination, clinicians observe the chest during breathing rather than relying on a single measurement. They assess the amount and symmetry of thoracic movement, count respiratory rate, and note whether accessory muscles are being used. Combining these observations helps characterize the breathing pattern and directs attention toward restricted expansion or possible respiratory distress.
Respiratory rate adds a timing measure to the visual assessment of thoracic movement. When clinicians consider rate together with chest expansion, symmetry, and accessory-muscle use, they can evaluate an altered breathing pattern using more than rib motion alone. The combined findings help determine whether ventilation appears abnormal and whether further clinical evaluation is warranted.
Changes in thoracic movement can provide clues about which part of the respiratory system may be affected. The relevant possibilities include the lungs, airways, respiratory muscles, and chest wall. In clinical practice, the findings do not identify one cause by themselves; instead, they help focus examination on restricted expansion, altered ventilation, or signs of respiratory distress.