Air tends to flow out of the lungs when the internal pressure of the lungs is higher than the atmospheric pressure. This pressure difference is created by the contraction of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles during exhalation, which reduces the volume of the lungs and forces air out.
The internal pressure of the lungs is controlled by the diaphragm and the muscles of the thorax (chest). Inhalation is caused by increasing the volume (which lowers the internal pressure) while decreasing the volume (increases the internal pressure) leads to exhalation, similar to the way a bellows works. The elastic qualities of the lung also help the process of exhalation.
The downward contraction of the diaphragm (below the lungs) decreases the pressure within the lungs by expanding the thoracic cavity. The lungs sag into the cavity, and outside air flows into the lungs.The contraction of the diaphragm allows the person (or animal) to inhale air. When the diaphragm relaxes, it pushes upward on the lungs and exhalation occurs.
When breathing in, or inhaling, the diaphragm contracts, or tightens. When exhaling, or breathing out, the diaphragm expands, or loosens.
When exhaling, the diaphragm relaxes and moves upwards, causing a decrease in the volume of the chest cavity. This increase in pressure pushes air out of the lungs.
When the diaphragm contracts, it decreases the pressure in the chest cavity, allowing air to rush into the lungs to inflate them. This creates an increase in air pressure outside the body as air is drawn in.
External intercostal and diaphragm increase the volume of the lungs, this action dicreases the pressure of the lungs. (we know pressure moves from the region of higher region to lower, in this case pressure is high in atmosphere and low in lungs). So air gets drew up in our nose.
When the diaphragm relaxes, the volume of the thoracic cavity decreases. The resultant decrease in thoracic cavity leads to an increase in the pressure. This increase in pressure leads to the exhalation of air out of the lungs into the atmosphere.
As your diaphragm expands, the pressure in your thoracic cavity decreases. Air rushes into the partial vacuum, and you inhale.
During quiet breathing, the intrapleural pressure decreases during inspiration as the diaphragm contracts and the thoracic cavity expands, leading to a decrease in pressure inside the lungs. During expiration, intrapleural pressure increases as the diaphragm relaxes and the thoracic cavity decreases in volume, causing an increase in pressure inside the lungs.
When the diaphragm moves down it is relaxing, causing the thoracic cavity to recoil. An increase in pressure causes the lungs to expel.
The diaphragm is a thin band of muscle under the lungs. When it contracts, the lungs are pulled up and out, reducing the air pressure and causing oxygen to be drawn in. When the diaphragm relaxes, the carbon dioxide is pushed out of the lungs.