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Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry logoLink to Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
. 1981 Sep;44(9):837–841. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.44.9.837

Electromyographic investigation of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles in tetraplegics.

J R Silver, R P Lehr
PMCID: PMC491146  PMID: 7310425

Abstract

Local electromyographic activity has been demonstrated in the intercostal muscles of tetraplegic patients by using a combination of surface, fine-wire and intra-oesophageal diaphragmatic electrodes. This activity is first present and most evident in the lower chest, the point of maximum deformation in the tetraplegic's thorax. In patients with long standing injury the activity is present and prominent in the more superior intercostal muscles. We believe this activity to be reflex in character and that it develops and facilitates over time, so improving the ventilatory capacity of tetraplegics.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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