Q.Interpret the given diagrams A and B. Enlist the changes occuring during inspiration and expiration.
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Diagram A represents inspiration and diagram B represents expiration (or vice versa depending on the arrow directions shown): during inspiration, the diaphragm contracts and flattens (moves down), the external interco...
One diagram shows inspiration (diaphragm flattens, ribcage rises, air moves in) and the other shows expiration (diaphragm domes up, ribcage falls, air moves out).
Breathing (pulmonary ventilation) consists of two phases, inspiration and expiration, driven by changes in thoracic volume and pressure due to the diaphragm and intercostal muscles.
During inspiration: the diaphragm (a dome-shaped muscle at the base of the thoracic cavity) contracts and becomes flatter, moving downward; simultaneously the external intercostal muscles contract, lifting the ribs and sternum upward and outward. Together these actions increase the volume of the thoracic cavity, which lowers the intra-pulmonary (intrathoracic) pressure below atmospheric pressure, so that air rushes into the lungs from outside (the trachea's 'Air' arrow points inward/downward).
During expiration: the diaphragm relaxes and returns to its dome (upward-curved) shape, and the external intercostal muscles relax, allowing the ribcage to move down and inward (assisted by internal intercostal muscles and elastic recoil of the lungs during forced expiration). This decreases thoracic volume, raising intra-pulmonary pressure above atmospheric pressure, so air is pushed out of the lungs through the trachea (the 'Air' arrow points outward/upward). …
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