Respiratory sensations in patients with cervical cord transection

Abstract

The sensation of breath holding and the ability to detect added external respiratory resistance was investigated in nine patients with complete cervical cord lesions. (Eight patients with lesions between C5 and C7 and one patient with a complete lesion below C3.) All the patients could detect added resistive loads normally. All the patients except the one with the C3 lesion had normal sensations of breath holding. It is concluded that the information about pressure changes reached consciousness via the vagi and that the sensation of breath holding is dependent on contractions of the diaphragm. © 1971 International Spinal Cord Society. All Rights Reserved.