Fig. 3

The morphology of diaphragm and lung hyperinflation at the end of maximal breathing. a,b. Describe the structure and function of the diaphragm and their lung hyperinflation in a 65-year-old healthy male; c.d. Describe the morphology of diaphragm and lung hyperinflation in a 65-year-old man with severe COPD (FEV1%predict 20.83). In the healthy control, the lung size and location of the diaphragm are obviously changed from inspiration (a) to expiration (b); however, in the COPD patient, the lung size and location of the diaphragm are not largely changed from inspiration (c) to expiration (d), the diaphragm becomes flat and short, suggesting the presence of severe air-trapping and airflow limitation. Thus, COPD patients have dysfunction of the diaphragm.