Respiratory muscle

Respiratory musculature refers to the ensemble of skeletal muscles (including the diaphragm, intercostal muscles, abdominal muscles, and accessory groups like the sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscles) responsible for ventilating the lungs by expanding and contracting the thoracic cavity. The diaphragm is the primary inspiratory muscle, with the intercostal and accessory muscles recruited during increased ventilatory demand or respiratory distress[1][2][3][4]. These muscles are subject to neuromuscular diseases, fatigue, and secondary involvement in pulmonary disorders, but they do not represent a canonical molecular therapeutic "target" like a receptor, ion channel, or enzyme[3][4][5]. Pharmacological intervention typically affects the innervating nerves or general muscle contractility, not the musculature itself at the molecular level.

Other names

Muscles of respirationRespiratory musclesBreathing muscles

Indirect—increase force generation or contractility (e.g., stimulants, some methylxanthines) Indirect—block signal transmission causing paralysis (e.g., neuromuscular blocking agents)