Monday 28 March 2016

2.45 understand the role of the intercostal muscles and the diaphragm in ventilation

Ventilation is the fancy name for breathing in and out.

Breathing in...
- Intercostal muscles contact (pulling ribcage and sternum 'up and out')
- diaphragm contracts (pulling the thorax 'down')
- Volume of thorax increases
- Pressure inside thorax decreases - this draws air in

Breathing out...
- Intercostal muscles and diaphragm relax
- Thorax volume decreases
- Air is forced out (as the volume decreases and pressure increases)

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