Transmembrane potentials of human muscle cells in vivo

Abstract

A system was designed and constructed which permits recording the resting and action potential of muscle fibers in man in vivo. The procedure involves passing a cannula containing a microelectrode through the skin into the muscle. No anesthesia is required. An average resting potential of 77.5 mv (with a standard deviation of 11.3 mv and a standard error of 1.2 mv) was observed for the anterior tibial muscle in normal subjects.