Related articles: Hypertrophy of the accessory muscles of respiration
Definition
The hypertrophy of the accessory muscles of respiration is found mainly in the advanced stages of chronic diseases, such as bronchial asthma, emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
This symptom is a consequence of an alteration of pulmonary mechanics; in particular, it is the expression of the strong commitment found in supporting the accessory muscles of respiration, recruited to overcome the considerable resistance caused by bronchoduction during ventilation. As a matter of fact, in fact, the accessory muscles of respiration intervene only when particularly large inspiratory and expiratory acts are performed, for example during an intense aerobic physical effort.
In the case of a severe obstructive airway disease, the use of accessory muscles can be associated with the paradoxical movement of the lower intercostal spaces during inspiration (Hoover's sign), to the breath with parted lips and cyanosis. The hypertrophy of the accessory muscles of respiration can also be found in subjects suffering from respiratory or cardiac insufficiency.
Possible Causes * of Hypertrophy of Accessory Breathing Muscles
- Asthma
- COPD
- Emphysema
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Heart failure
- Respiratory failure
- Heart failure
