We present a model of chest wall mechanics that extends the model described previously by Macklem et al. (J. Appl. Physiol. 55: 547-557, 1983) and incorporates a two-compartment rib cage. We divide the rib cage into that apposed to the lung (RCpul) and that apposed to the diaphragm (RCab). We apply this model to determine rib cage distortability, the mechanical coupling between RCpul and RCab, the contribution of the rib cage muscles to the pressure change during spontaneous inspiration (Prcm), and the insertional component of transdiaphragmatic pressure in humans. We define distortability as the relationship between distortion and transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) and mechanical coupling as the relationship between rib cage distortion and the pressure acting to restore the rib cage to its relaxed configuration (Plink), as assessed during bilateral transcutaneous phrenic nerve stimulation. Prcm was calculated at end inspiration as the component of the pressure displacing RCpul not accounted for by Plink or pleural pressure. Prcm and Plink were approximately equal during quiet breathing, contributing 3.7 and 3.3 cmH2O on average during breaths associated with a change in Pdi of 3.9 cmH2O. The insertional component of Pdi was measured as the pressure acting on RCab not accounted for by the change in abdominal pressure during an inspiration without rib cage distortion and was 40 +/- 12% (SD) of total Pdi. We conclude that there is substantial resistance of the human rib cage to distortion, that, along with rib cage muscles, contributes importantly to the fall in pleural pressure over the costal surface of the lung.