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Accessory muscles are those that are not primarily responsible for movement but do provide assistance. They are also known as breathing pump muscles, and they form a complex arrangement in the form of semi-rigid bellows around the lungs. Accessory muscles are recruited during times of exercise or dysfunction in the respiratory system. They are also used during deep breathing, such as when swimming underwater or blowing out birthday candles. In people with respiratory conditions, the body may automatically activate accessory muscles during typical breathing. Examples of accessory muscles include the scalene, the sternocleidomastoid, the pectoralis major, the trapezius, and the external intercostals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Relatively rare anatomical variation where duplication of a muscle may appear anywhere in the muscular system |
| Examples | Accessory soleus muscle in the calf or ankle, extensor digitorum brevis manus in the hand, epitrochleoanconeus muscle of the upper arm, flexor carpi radialis brevis, palmaris profundus muscle, sternal muscle, axillary arch (Langer's), pectoralis quartus, pectoralis intermedius, chondrocoracoideus, chondrofascialis, sternocleidomastoid, scalene muscles, serratus posterior inferior, quadratus lumborum, subclavius |
| Function | Accessory muscles are not active during regular breathing for a person in good health, but they may be used when taking a deliberately deep breath, such as during swimming underwater or forceful exhalation |
| Use cases | People with certain medical conditions, young children with muscles that are not fully developed, infants, end-of-life care |
| Activation | Accessory muscles are recruited during times of exercise due to increased metabolic need and during dysfunction in the respiratory system |
| Treatment | Treatment is not usually indicated unless the accessory muscle interferes with normal function |
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What You'll Learn
- Accessory muscles are used for breathing in people with certain medical conditions
- They are also used during deep breathing, such as in yoga or swimming underwater
- Accessory muscles of respiration include the sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscles
- Axillary accessory muscles may be encountered in axillary lymph node removal
- Accessory muscles of the anterior thoracic wall include the sternalis muscle and axillary arch
Accessory muscles are used for breathing in people with certain medical conditions
Accessory muscles are additional muscles that the body can activate to aid inhalation and exhalation. In healthy people, accessory muscles are not used during normal breathing. However, they may be used during deep breathing, such as when swimming underwater or blowing out birthday candles.
People with certain medical conditions may use accessory muscles during typical breathing. Conditions that affect breathing may force the body to activate accessory muscles to compensate for the lack of oxygen or the excess of carbon dioxide in the blood. For example, people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may use accessory muscles during expiration due to lung over-inflation and air trapping. Other conditions that may cause the use of accessory muscles include asthma, pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Accessory muscles are also recruited during exercise due to the increased metabolic need and during dysfunction in the respiratory system. During physical exertion, the use of accessory muscles can be considered normal. However, if a person appears to be working harder than usual to breathe, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
The accessory muscles of breathing include the sternocleidomastoid, scalene muscles (anterior, middle, and posterior), abdominal muscles, pectoralis major, trapezius, and external intercostals. The diaphragm and intercostal muscles are the primary drivers of respiration, but accessory muscles assist in expanding and contracting the thoracic cavity to facilitate adequate gas exchange when breathing demands increase.
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They are also used during deep breathing, such as in yoga or swimming underwater
Accessory muscles are those that assist in breathing but do not play a primary role. They are typically recruited during exercise or when the respiratory system is dysfunctional. They are also used during deep breathing, such as in yoga or swimming underwater.
During normal breathing, the diaphragm is the main muscle responsible for respiration. It is a thin, dome-shaped muscle that separates the abdominal cavity from the thoracic cavity. When it contracts, it moves downward, increasing the vertical diameter of the thoracic cavity and causing the lungs to expand, drawing air in. The diaphragm is assisted by the external, internal, and innermost intercostal muscles, which are attached between the ribs and help manipulate the width of the rib cage.
When taking a deliberately deep breath, as in yoga or swimming underwater, accessory muscles are recruited to assist in respiration. These include the sternocleidomastoid and the scalene muscles (anterior, middle, and posterior). These muscles help elevate the rib cage, aiding in inhalation. Other accessory muscles that may be involved include the pectoralis major, trapezius, latissimus dorsi, erector spinae, serratus anterior, and serratus posterior.
In certain medical conditions, such as COPD, or during end-of-life care, the body may automatically activate accessory muscles during typical breathing. This is because the diaphragm and intercostal muscles are at a disadvantage due to over-inflation of the lungs, and accessory muscles are needed to help with inhalation and exhalation. Additionally, in infants and young children with developing respiratory systems, accessory muscles are used to compensate for respiratory distress or during general anesthesia.
In summary, accessory muscles are used during deep breathing activities such as yoga or swimming underwater. They assist the primary respiratory muscles in expanding the thoracic cavity and facilitating inhalation. While they are not typically active during normal breathing in healthy individuals, they play a crucial role in various other situations, ensuring adequate respiration when needed.
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Accessory muscles of respiration include the sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscles
Accessory muscles are those that are not primarily responsible for movement but do provide assistance. In the context of respiration, accessory muscles are those that contract during inspiration (inhalation) or expiration (exhalation) in addition to the diaphragm, the primary muscle of respiration. During normal breathing, the diaphragm is the only muscle used, contracting during inspiration and relaxing during the passive process of expiration, which relies on the elastic recoil of the lungs.
The sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscles are typically considered accessory muscles of respiration. They are recruited during times of increased metabolic need, such as during exercise, or during dysfunction in the respiratory system. Accessory muscle use is commonly observed in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or respiratory muscle fatigue. The contraction of these muscles lifts the clavicles and first ribs, helping to expand the thorax, especially in distressed patients with a flattened diaphragm.
In addition to the sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscles, other accessory muscles of respiration include the pectoralis major, trapezius, external intercostals, and serratus anterior. These muscles assist in expanding the thoracic cavity during inspiration or compressing it during expiration, ultimately aiding in the process of pulmonary ventilation.
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Axillary accessory muscles may be encountered in axillary lymph node removal
An accessory muscle is a relatively rare anatomical variation where duplication of a muscle may appear anywhere in the muscular system. Accessory muscles are usually not indicated for treatment unless they interfere with normal function. Examples include the accessory soleus muscle in the calf or ankle, the epitrochleoanconeus muscle of the upper arm, and the axillary arch (Langer's) in the pectoral region.
The axillary lymph nodes are located in the axillary pad of fat in the armpit (axilla) and play a crucial role in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. These nodes are often the first place that breast cancer spreads, and their involvement can indicate the stage of cancer. During an axillary lymph node dissection, a surgical oncologist removes lymph nodes from the armpit to determine the extent of cancerous spread.
In some individuals, axillary accessory muscles may be encountered during axillary lymph node removal surgery. These accessory muscles represent anatomical variations in the muscular system. Awareness of the presence of axillary accessory muscles is essential to avoid potential complications during surgery. The axillary arch (Langer's) is one such accessory muscle that may be present in the axillary region.
The pectoral region exhibits a high degree of variability, and variations of the pectoralis major and minor muscles may be observed. For example, the pectoralis major may be doubled or, in some cases, absent altogether. Other accessory muscles in the pectoral region include the sternalis muscle, pectoralis quartus, pectoralis intermedius, chondrocoracoideus, and chondrofascialis. These accessory muscles have potential clinical significance, such as the chondrocoracoideus being useful in reconstructive surgery.
It is important for surgeons to have a comprehensive understanding of the anatomical variations that may be encountered during axillary lymph node removal, including the presence of axillary accessory muscles. This knowledge helps prevent iatrogenic injuries and ensures the best possible patient outcomes.
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Accessory muscles of the anterior thoracic wall include the sternalis muscle and axillary arch
An accessory muscle is a relatively rare anatomical variation where a duplication of a muscle may appear anywhere in the muscular system. Treatment is generally not required unless the accessory muscle interferes with normal bodily functions. Examples of accessory muscles include the accessory soleus muscle in the calf or ankle, the epitrochleoanconeus muscle of the upper arm, and the extensor digitorum brevis manus in the hand.
Accessory muscles can also refer to muscles that are not primarily responsible for movement but do provide assistance. The accessory muscles of respiration are an example of this, where the sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscles (anterior, middle, and posterior scalene) are considered accessory muscles of respiration.
The accessory muscles of the anterior thoracic wall include the sternalis muscle and axillary arch (Langer's). The sternalis muscle is a rare accessory muscle that has been the subject of various studies, including its prevalence in the Chinese population and its importance in breast surgery. The axillary arch is the most common muscular variation in the axilla and has been studied for its potential role in thoracic outlet and shoulder instability syndromes.
In addition to the sternalis muscle and axillary arch, other accessory muscles of the anterior thoracic wall include variations of pectoralis major such as the pectoralis minimus, pectoralis quartus, and pectoralis intermedius, as well as the chondrocoracoideus and chondrofascialis. These accessory muscles have been found to have a significant incidence, which may have clinical significance, especially during breast and axillary surgery.
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Frequently asked questions
Accessory muscles are those that assist, but do not play a primary role, in breathing. They are also known as breathing pump muscles.
Accessory muscles are used when taking a deliberately deep breath, for example, when swimming underwater or blowing out birthday cake candles. They are also used when the body is experiencing respiratory distress or dysfunction.
People with certain medical conditions, such as COPD, and young children with underdeveloped muscles may rely on accessory muscles to help them breathe.
Accessory muscles include the scalene, the sternocleidomastoid, the pectoralis major, the trapezius, and the external intercostals.
Yes, accessory muscles can also refer to an anatomical variation where a duplication of a muscle appears in the muscular system. For example, an accessory soleus muscle in the calf or ankle.
