ABSTRACT
The present chapter will thus begin with a discussion of the basic mechanical structure of the chest wall in humans. It will next analyze the actions of the muscles that displace the chest wall. For the sake of clarity, the functions of the different muscles will be analyzed separately. Thus, we will summarize sequentially what is known about the actions of the diaphragm, the muscles of the rib cage, and the muscles of the abdominal wall. It must be appreciated, however, that all these muscles normally work together in a coordinated manner, and we will draw attention to some of the most critical aspects of their mechanical interdependence.
