respiratory accessory muscle

Introduction

used in reference to the muscles of respiration excluding the diaphragm muscle, i.e. the intercostal muscles

Pathology

• prominant use of respiratory accessory muscle is associated with respiratory stress, dyspnea, respiratory failure
• respiratory asscessory muscles are less reliable during sleep
  • during rapid-eye movement sleep, the intercostal muscles are hyperpolarized & unavailable

More general terms

• muscles of respiration

Additional terms

• intercostal muscle