. The cyclopædia of anatomy and physiology. Anatomy; Physiology; Zoology. Tlwrax as at death. can expire a greater volume of air when perfectly erect, than in any other position. On the other hand, if we curve the spine, we limit the divergence of the ribs, because then we bring the ribs more into the po- sition of a b and a'b' (fig. 678.). Thus, in diseases of the spine, when angular cur- vature is extensive, the ribs are materially limited in their capability of increasing the perpendicular depth of their intercostal spaces, and consequently the perpendicular depth of the thorax. Fig. 666. i
. The cyclopædia of anatomy and physiology. Anatomy; Physiology; Zoology. Tlwrax as at death. can expire a greater volume of air when perfectly erect, than in any other position. On the other hand, if we curve the spine, we limit the divergence of the ribs, because then we bring the ribs more into the po- sition of a b and a'b' (fig. 678.). Thus, in diseases of the spine, when angular cur- vature is extensive, the ribs are materially limited in their capability of increasing the perpendicular depth of their intercostal spaces, and consequently the perpendicular depth of the thorax. Fig. 666. is an instance of angular spine, reducing the ribs to their minimum distances without their moving. We have found by ex- periment, that the greatest volume of air which persons with angular spine can expire, is little more than equal to the volume of air of an ordinary respiration ; i. e. from 20 to 40 cubic inches, instead of 180 to 200 cubic inches. The following experiment proves that the ribs are all elevated when the chest is inflated, and that the spine is straightened. Into the thorax (fig- 680. et seq.) we insufflated, or forced into the lungs 310 cubic inches of air, and a second cast was taken. The changed position of the ribs and spine is represented in figs. 681. 683. and 685. where it will be seen that all the ribs are raised ; their perpendicu- lar distances or intercostal spaces are all increased, and the spine is more erect. This experiment, therefore, demonstrates two things : 1st, that by artificially inflating the chest, the intercostal spaces are widened, and 2dly, that the spine becomes more erect. It is an experiment most unfavour- able for showing these two points, because the altered shape of the thorax by insufflation is not to be compared with the exceedingly enlarged condition produced by vital inspira- tion ; in which case the spine becomes more erect, and the intercostal spaces consequently wider. By placing the fingers in the inter- costal spaces o
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