Because the first stage of expiration or "postinspiration" is an active neurorespiratory event, we expect some persistence of diaphragm electromyogram (EMG) after the cessation of inspiratory airflow, as postinspiratory inspiratory activity (PIIA). The costal and crural segments of the mammalian diaphragm have different mechanical and proprioceptive characteristics, so postinspiratory activity of these two portions may be different. In six canines, we implanted chronically EMG electrodes and sonomicrometer transducers and then sampled EMG activity and length of costal and crural diaphragm segments at 4 kHz, 10.2 days after implantation during wakeful, resting breathing. Costal and crural EMG were reviewed on-screen, and duration of PIIA was calculated for each breath. Crural PIIA was present in nearly every breath, with mean duration 16% of expiratory time, compared with costal PIIA with duration 2.6% of expiratory time (P < 0.002). A linear regression model of crural centroid frequency vs. length, which was computed during the active shortening of inspiration, did not accurately predict crural EMG centroid frequency values at equivalent length during the controlled relaxation of postinspiration. This difference in activation of crural diaphragm in inspiration and postinspiration is consistent with a different pattern of motor unit recruitment during PIIA.