Journal of Applied Physiology Fuel your research with LabChart
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

J Appl Physiol 73: 762-766, 1992;
8750-7587/92 $5.00
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Amis, T. C.
Right arrow Articles by Engel, L. A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Amis, T. C.
Right arrow Articles by Engel, L. A.

Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 73, Issue 2 762-766, Copyright © 1992 by American Physiological Society

ARTICLES

Pharyngeal dilation associated with cricothyroid muscle contraction in dogs

T. C. Amis, A. Brancatisano, A. Tully and L. A. Engel
Thoracic Medicine Unit, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

The mechanical function of phasic respiratory-related activity of the cricothyroid muscle of the larynx is poorly understood. We studied five adult cross-bred dogs (weight 14-20 kg) deeply anesthetized with pentobarbitone sodium, mechanically ventilated via a tracheostomy, and placed prone with the mouth open. Bilateral cricothyroid muscle contraction was induced by supramaximal electrical stimulation of the external branches of the superior laryngeal nerve. Computerized axial tomography was used to assess effects of cricothyroid muscle contraction. During cricothyroid muscle contraction, oropharyngeal (tip of epiglottis) cross-sectional area increased by 18.0 +/- 3.0% (SE) (P = 0.008), whereas combined left and right piriform recess cross-sectional area increased by 85 +/- 25% (n = 4; P = 0.02) at the midepiglottic level and by 152 +/- 37% (P = 0.01) at the base of the epiglottis. Furthermore, at the base of the epiglottis the maximum horizontal distance between the alae of the thyroid cartilage increased by 21 +/- 8% (P = 0.05). In contrast, lateral glottic diameter decreased by 52 +/- 2% (n = 4; P = 0.01), whereas dorsoventral glottic diameter increased by 18 +/- 5% (n = 4; P less than 0.02). The cricothyroid muscle, therefore, has the capacity to act simultaneously as a pharyngeal dilator and a glottic constrictor and thus may play a role in the control of oropharyngeal as well as laryngeal patency.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
S. T. Kuna and C. R. Vanoye
Mechanical effects of pharyngeal constrictor activation on pharyngeal airway function
J Appl Physiol, January 1, 1999; 86(1): 411 - 417.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
S. H. Launois, J. Tsui, and J. W. Weiss
Respiratory function of velopharyngeal constrictor muscles during wakefulness in normal adults
J Appl Physiol, February 1, 1997; 82(2): 584 - 591.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Visit Other APS Journals Online