Static volume-pressure characteristics of the rib cage and abdomen.

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Abstract
The separate static volume-pressure characteristics of the rib cage and abdomen in 6 human subjects were measured by combining estimates of relaxation volumes, based on an analysis of changes in anteroposterior diameters of the rib cage and abdomen, with relaxation pressures measured between the esophagus and atmosphere for the rib cage and between the stomach and atmosphere for the abdomen. The abdomen was less compliant than the rib cage for large volume changes. In the volume range of quiet breathing, however, it was nearly as compliant as the rib cage in standing, and somewhat more complaint in supine subjects. These findings were related to the relative contributions of rib cage and abdomen during quiet breathing and during vital capacity maneuvers and the problem of estimating the work of chest wall distortion was discussed.