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Relaxation of the diaphragm and intracostal muscles causes the pressure inside the thorax to be higher than that outside the body. the contraction and relaxation of these things change the volume of lungs and thus the air pressure in the lungs. Air moves from high pressure to low pressure, so during inspiration, the external intercostal muscles contract (the internal intercostals relax) which brings the rib cage upwards and outwards, the diagphram contracts and goes downwards which all increases the size of the thoracic cavity (and due to the plueral membrane) and thus that of the lungs. This creates an area of lower pressure in the lungs and therefore air is cause to flow in. The opposite occurs in expiration. the intercostal muscles work to pull the ribcage inwards and diaphragm bulges upwards making the lungs smaller. this then creates an area of high pressure in the lungs and air is drawn out " what way does it goes? high to low. "

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