Myograph

A myograph recording from a pendulum myograph after an induced contraction. The upper line (m) represents the curve traced by the end of the myograph lever in connection with a muscle after stimulation of the muscle by a single induction-shock.

A myograph is any device used to measure the force produced by a muscle when under contraction.[1] Such a device is commonly used in myography, the study of the velocity and intensity of muscular contraction.[2]

A myograph can take several forms: for tubular structures such as blood vessels these include the pressure myograph (where a segment of a blood vessel is cannulated at either or both ends) and the wire myograph (where the blood vessel segment is threaded onto a pair of pins or wires); for skeletal muscle other devices such as the acceleromyograph can be used.

In pharmacology, myography is used to record muscle contraction in organ bath preparations. The related technique of electromyography (EMG) is used to measure the electrical activity of the muscle instead of force. In addition, there is an optomyography (OMG) technique that uses active near-infra-red optical sensors.

  1. ^ Blood, Douglas C.; Studdert, Virginia P. (Jan 15, 1999). Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7020-2788-8.
  2. ^ Urdang, Laurence (1981). -Ologies &- Isms: A Thematic Dictionary (2 ed.). Gale Research Co. ISBN 978-0-8103-1055-1.