Accessory muscles are additional muscles the body activates to help inhale and exhale air into the lungs. Learn more here. ... Respiratory muscle function in the newborn: ...

Accessory muscles. Accessory muscles assist but do not play a primary role in breathing. Using these muscles while at rest is often interpreted as a sign of respiratory distress.

February 18, 2010 — Editor's note: Pediatric respiratory emergencies result from a variety of causes, including chronic medical conditions, infections, allergic reactions, and obstruction from ...

Normally, the diaphragm muscle drives about 50% of respiratory force, but other muscles provide the remainder. In MD, that balance is changed once the diaphragm becomes damaged.

Respiratory failure has two main components: ventilatory dysfunction and hypoxemia. Ventilatory dysfunction leads to dyspnea, increased work of breathing, use of accessory muscles, and hypercapnia ...