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Breathing, or pulmonary ventilation, is the process of exchanging air between the atmosphere and the lungs, and includes inspiration (inhalation), and expiration (exhalation). The movement of air into the lungs is dependent upon pressure gradients and the process is based on Boyle's law, which states that the pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to the size of its container. So in simple terms, if you have a certain volume of gas in a container, if that container were to get larger, the pressure inside would be reduced. Likewise, by decreasing the container size, the pressure increases. Using that example, the lungs are the container. By changing the size of the container, the pressure inside increases or decreases proportionally. During normal breathing, the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles contract to expand the lungs (our container), causing the pressure to decrease. When that pressure becomes lower than the atmospheric pressure, the air will move into the lungs (if you have ever siphoned gas its the same idea). As it moves into the lungs, it gets warmer, becomes moist, and expands. During expiration (exhalation), the diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax, causing the cavity size to reduce, which causes the pressure to increase. When that pressure becomes greater than the atmospheric pressure (outside), the air is forced out of the lungs.

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How does diaphragm help during the inhaling and exhaling process?

During inhalation, the diaphragm contracts and moves downward, allowing the lungs to expand and fill with air. This creates a vacuum in the chest cavity, drawing air into the lungs. During exhalation, the diaphragm relaxes and moves upward, forcing air out of the lungs.


What happens to the rib cage when inhaling and exhaling?

it expands as we inhale and contrasts as we exhale...this allows our lungs to fill up with air without pushing on out rib cage the rib cage moves up and out when inhaling and moves down and in when exhaling.


Describe how the diaphragm and rib muscles work together to control inhaling and exhaling?

The diaphragm contracts and moves downward during inhalation, increasing the volume of the chest cavity and drawing air into the lungs. The rib muscles, such as the external intercostals, help expand the chest wall outward to create more space for the lungs to fill with air. During exhalation, the diaphragm relaxes and moves upward, while the rib muscles relax and help decrease the volume of the chest cavity, forcing air out of the lungs.


What major cavity is superior to the diaphragm?

The thoracic cavity is superior to the diaphragm. It is separated from the abdominal cavity by the diaphragm and contains the heart and lungs.


What structure on a microscope controls the amount of light that passes through the specimen?

The Diaphragm or diaphragm control lever regulates the amount of light passing through the slide specimen on the microscope stage.

Related Questions

What happens to the diaphragm exhalation?

When breathing in, or inhaling, the diaphragm contracts, or tightens. When exhaling, or breathing out, the diaphragm expands, or loosens.


What are you doing when the diaphragm lowers and the rib cage expands?

Inhaling.


Rib muscles and diaphragm contract making the chest cavity?

Increases


What are hiccups are they from inhaling something bad?

No hiccups are simply your diaphragm being irritated.


What are you doing when your diaphragm moves up and your ribs move down and in?

Your diaphragm lowers and your ribs expand outwards


How does the diaphragm and rib muscles work together to control inhaling and exhaling?

When you breathe, the actions of your rib muscles and diaphragm expand or contract your chest. As a result, air flows in and out.


How does diaphragm help during the inhaling and exhaling process?

During inhalation, the diaphragm contracts and moves downward, allowing the lungs to expand and fill with air. This creates a vacuum in the chest cavity, drawing air into the lungs. During exhalation, the diaphragm relaxes and moves upward, forcing air out of the lungs.


Why do people get the hickkups?

With the contraction of the diaphragm by spasm the inhaling of air is stopped suddenly the gap in the vocal cords reduce during the contraction of diaphragm which causes a hiccup and the process is repeated


How does breathing occur?

you breathe in and out or you would die!!!! <><><> The movement of the diaphragm is what causes the air to go in and out of your lungs.


When inhaling diaphragm?

The diaphragm is below the lungs and the heart and above the stomach,and the intestines,therefore the diaphragm must be pushed down or in a convex position to the heart.


What happens during exhalation the diaphragm?

When breathing in, or inhaling, the diaphragm contracts, or tightens. When exhaling, or breathing out, the diaphragm expands, or loosens.


What happen to diaphragm when you relax?

It becomes domed.