Intercostal muscles and purring in the cat: the influence of afferent inputs.
Feline purring has previously been reported as originating in a central oscillator, independent of afferent inputs, and also as not involving expiratory muscles. Here we show, via electromyographic recordings from intercostal muscles, quantified by cross-correlation, that expiratory muscles can be involved and that even if the oscillator is central, reflex components nevertheless play a considerable part in the production of the periodic pattern of muscle activation seen during purring.
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D004576:Electromyography; D007366:Intercostal Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D007367:Intercostal Nerves / Q000502:physiology*; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009470:Muscle Spindles / Q000502:physiology; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000502:physiology; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission; D013900:Thoracic Nerves / Q000502:physiology*