SummaryThe electromyographic activity of an upper airway muscle (genioglossus, GG) and the diaphragm were studied in 10 adult and three young anesthetized rabbits during progressive asphyxia induced by airway occlusion. Results were similar for both age groups. Peak inspiratory activity of GG muscle increased more than that of the diaphragm during both the hyperpnea and gasping (P<0.05). The increase in GG activity during gasping was not significantly different from that during hyperpnea even though an important stimulus, arousal, was absent during gasping. During end stage asphyxia, as the strength of gasps grew weaker, the rate of loss of GG muscle activity was greater than that of the diaphragm. However, GG activity remained greater than that of the diaphragm at the time of the last spontaneous gasp. As asphyxia progressed, inspiratory duration and the inspiratory contour of integrated electromyogram activity of both muscles changed. These data indicate differences in the control mechanism of the genioglossus and diaphragm during acute severe asphyxia. Increased upper airway muscle activity seen during gasping should help preserve upper airway patency and facilitate autoresuscitation by gasping. These observations of coordinated changes in timing and activity of two functionally different respiratory muscles support the concept that gasping is a highly organized function of the respiratory centers.