What Is the Breathing Mechanism?
The breathing mechanism involves the action of the respiratory muscles, which causes air to move into and out of the lungs. Moving air into the lungs is known as inhalation, or inspiration, and moving air out is called exhalation, or expiration. The main muscles involved in the movements of breathing are the diaphragm, the large muscle which forms the floor of the chest cavity, and the intercostal muscles, which are attached to the ribs. When inhaling, the muscles work together to increase the size of the chest space, lowering the pressure inside the lungs and drawing air in from outside. Exhaling involves relaxation of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, reducing the volume of the chest cavity and this, combined with the lungs’ natural elasticity, serves to increase the pressure inside the lungs and move air out.
