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Accessory muscles are additional muscles that the body activates to aid breathing during inhalation and exhalation. They are usually not active during normal breathing, but they may be used when taking a deep breath, such as when swimming underwater or blowing out birthday candles. Accessory muscles can also be activated during regular breathing due to respiratory conditions or muscle fatigue. In some cases, accessory muscle use may indicate an underlying health issue, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or pneumonia, and a doctor should be consulted. These muscles are typically found around the shoulders, neck, and upper chest, and include the scalene, sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, and pectoralis major muscles.
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What You'll Learn
Accessory muscle breathing
The accessory muscles of inspiration lift the third, fourth, and fifth ribs to increase space for air in the lungs. Examples of accessory inspiratory muscles include the sternocleidomastoid, scalene muscles, pectoralis major, trapezius, and external intercostals. The abdominal oblique muscles are primarily responsible for forceful expiration.
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Accessory nerve
Accessory muscles are additional muscles that the body activates to help inhale and exhale air into the lungs. These muscles are used when a person takes a deep breath, such as when swimming underwater or blowing out birthday candles. They are also used in strenuous exercise or when a person has a respiratory condition. In healthy individuals, the diaphragm is the only muscle used in normal breathing. However, in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease, accessory muscle use is common.
The accessory nerve is the eleventh paired cranial nerve. It is unique among the cranial nerves in having neurons in the spinal cord. The nerve enters the skull through the foramen magnum, the large opening at the base of the skull, and travels along the inner wall towards the jugular foramen. The nerve then exits the skull and continues downwards, piercing through the sternocleidomastoid muscle and sending it motor branches. The nerve ultimately reaches the trapezius muscle. The spinal accessory nerve innervates two muscles: the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius. The trapezius muscle controls the action of shrugging the shoulders, while the sternocleidomastoid controls the action of turning the head.
The accessory nerve is derived from the basal plate of the embryonic spinal segments C1–C6. The fibres of the spinal accessory nerve originate in neurons situated in the upper spinal cord, from where the spinal cord begins at the junction with the medulla oblongata, to the level of about C6. The accessory nerve is traditionally described as having a small cranial component that descends from the medulla and briefly connects with the spinal accessory component before branching off to join the vagus nerve. The cranial part of the accessory nerve is considered part of the vagus nerve.
The skate is one of the earliest vertebrates to develop an accessory nerve, which arises from the intestinal branch of the vagus nerve. Sharks, the more evolved cousin of the skate, have a well-developed shoulder girdle and cucullaris muscle that receive innervation from the accessory nerve.
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Accessory muscles of inspiration
Accessory muscles are additional muscles that the body activates to help inhale and exhale air into the lungs. Accessory muscle breathing means using muscles other than those typically used for breathing to take in and expel enough air. The diaphragm is the only muscle used in normal breathing, which contracts during inspiration. Normal expiration is a passive process that relies on the elastic recoil of the lungs. Therefore, the term accessory muscle use refers to the contraction of muscles other than the diaphragm during inspiration or the contraction of any muscle during expiration.
Accessory muscle use is defined as the inspiratory contraction of the sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscles. The accessory muscles of inspiration lift the third, fourth, and fifth ribs to increase space for air in the lungs. The body uses different accessory breathing muscles for breathing in and breathing out. Inspiration means breathing in or inhalation. Expiration means breathing out or exhalation and is typically a passive process.
For a person in good health, the accessory muscles are not active during regular breathing. However, they may use these muscles when taking a deliberately deep breath. For example, they can involve them when swimming underwater or forcefully expelling air to blow out birthday cake candles. If someone has a condition that makes breathing more difficult, the body may automatically activate the accessory muscles during typical breathing. Different life stages may also influence accessory muscle breathing. It is common to use the accessory muscle to help compensate for respiratory conditions leading to hypoxemia, a lower-than-typical level of oxygen in the blood.
Accessory muscle use is a common finding in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease or respiratory muscle fatigue. More than 90% of patients hospitalized with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive lung disease use accessory muscles, but by hospital day 5, less than half do. In one study, patients whose clavicle lifted more than 5 mm during inspiration identified patients with more severe obstructive disease. The muscles of the upper airway do not have a direct action on the chest cage but are required to keep the airway open during inspiration, regulate airway resistance, and partition airflow through nasal and oral pathways.
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Accessory muscles of expiration
Accessory muscles are additional muscles that the body activates to help inhale and exhale air into the lungs. Accessory muscle use is defined as the contraction of any muscle other than the diaphragm during inspiration or the use of any muscle during expiration. The diaphragm is the only muscle used in normal breathing, and it contracts during inspiration. Normal expiration is a passive process that relies on the elastic recoil of the lungs.
Accessory muscle breathing may result from deliberate breathing practices, strenuous exercise, or a health condition. In good health, accessory muscles are not active during regular breathing. However, they may be used when taking a deliberately deep breath, such as when swimming underwater or blowing out birthday candles.
During exercise, accessory muscles are recruited due to the increased metabolic need. They are also used during respiratory dysfunction. In patients with chronic obstructive lung disease, accessory muscle use is common. In one study, patients whose clavicle lifted more than 5 mm during inspiration were identified as having more severe obstructive disease.
Accessory muscles are also used in infants, whose diaphragms are not yet fully developed and are more likely to fatigue. When this occurs, the infant's body recruits accessory muscles to help them keep breathing.
The primary accessory muscles of expiration are the abdominal oblique muscles.
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Accessory muscles and exercise
Accessory muscles are additional muscles that the body activates to aid inhalation and exhalation. They are used when a person takes a deep breath, such as when swimming underwater or blowing out birthday candles. They are also used during strenuous exercise, or when a person has a respiratory condition. Accessory muscle use is defined as the contraction of any muscle other than the diaphragm during inspiration, or the contraction of any muscle during expiration. The diaphragm is the only muscle used in normal breathing, contracting during inhalation, while exhalation is a passive process that relies on the elastic recoil of the lungs.
Accessory muscle use is a common finding in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease or respiratory muscle fatigue. More than 90% of patients hospitalised with acute exacerbations of this disease use accessory muscles, but by hospital day 5, less than half do.
In terms of exercise, accessory exercises are complementary movements that are done in addition to core activities, such as the bench press, squat, and deadlift. They allow you to continue training after your primary exercises, albeit at a lower intensity, and they allow you to focus on different muscle groups. Accessory exercises are typically performed for more reps than primary exercises, and they are key for improving strength and performance. For example, side lunges can be performed as an accessory exercise to improve hip mobility and reduce the risk of injury.
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Frequently asked questions
Accessory muscles are additional muscles that the body activates to help inhale and exhale air into the lungs. They are also known as breathing pump muscles.
Accessory muscles are used when the diaphragm and outer intercostal muscles are unable to move enough air in and out of the lungs. They may be used during strenuous exercise or due to a health condition.
The accessory muscles of inspiration include the scalene, sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, pectoralis major, and pectoralis minor muscles. These muscles lift the upper ribs and collarbones, causing the upper chest to rise and the lungs to expand.
The accessory muscles of expiration are primarily the abdominal wall muscles. These muscles contract during expiration to help force air out of the lungs.
Accessory muscle use is generally a sign of an underlying problem or disorder affecting a person's ability to breathe. It can be seen in patients with respiratory muscle fatigue, chronic obstructive lung disease, or other respiratory conditions.
