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The lungs are like sponges, and they cannot expand on their own. The diaphragm is the most important muscle for breathing, and it is supported by other muscles in the chest and abdomen. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves down and increases the length and diameter of the chest cavity, expanding the lungs. When the diaphragm relaxes, the lungs deflate, and air is exhaled.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main muscle used for breathing | Diaphragm |
| Diaphragm shape | Dome-shaped |
| Diaphragm function | Separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity |
| Diaphragm movement | Contracts and moves downward |
| Diaphragm effect on chest cavity | Increases the length and diameter of the chest cavity |
| Diaphragm effect on lungs | Expands the lungs |
| Intercostal muscles function | Help move the rib cage and assist in breathing |
| Intercostal muscles movement | Contract to pull the rib cage upward and outward |
| Intercostal muscles effect on rib cage | Raises the rib cage |
| Abdominal muscles function | Help with breathing out |
| Abdominal muscles movement during physical activity | Contract and push the diaphragm against the lungs |
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What You'll Learn
The diaphragm
During inhalation, the diaphragm contracts and moves downward, increasing the length and volume of the thoracic cavity, which in turn expands the lungs. This downward movement compresses the abdominal cavity, raising the ribs upward and outward. This action increases the vertical diameter of the chest cavity, expanding the lungs and drawing air in through the nose or mouth.
During exhalation, the diaphragm relaxes, and the lungs deflate, similar to an elastic balloon left open to the air. In quiet breathing, exhalation is a passive process, driven by the elastic recoil of the lungs. However, during vigorous exercise or forced exhalation, the abdominal muscles contract, raising the abdominal pressure, and pushing the diaphragm against the lungs, causing air to be exhaled.
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Intercostal muscles
The intercostal muscles are a group of intrinsic rib cage muscles that occupy the 11 intercostal spaces between the ribs. They are divided into three groups, from superficial to deep: external intercostals, internal intercostals, and innermost intercostals. All three groups of muscles support the rib cage and are accessory respiratory muscles that participate in the process of forced breathing.
The external intercostal muscles, or intercostalis externus, aid in quiet and forced inhalation. They originate on ribs 1–11 and insert on ribs 2–12. The contraction of these muscle fibres raises each rib toward the rib above, elevating the ribs and bending them more open. This expands the transverse dimensions of the thoracic cavity, increasing the vertical diameter of the thoracic cavity and producing lung expansion.
The internal intercostal muscles, or intercostalis internus, aid in forced expiration. They originate on ribs 2–12 and insert on ribs 1–11. The internal intercostals are responsible for depressing the ribs and bending them inward, thus decreasing the transverse dimensions of the thoracic cavity.
The innermost intercostal muscles, or intercostalis intimus, are deep layers of the internal intercostal muscles separated by a neurovascular bundle. They originate from the costal groove of one rib and insert into the superior border of the immediate rib below. The innermost intercostal muscles assist the internal and external intercostals in their function.
Intercostal muscle strains can occur due to weakened muscles, overexertion, direct trauma, or repetitive torso twisting. Symptoms of an intercostal muscle strain include pain, muscle tension and stiffness, and difficulty breathing due to a short and shallow breathing pattern.
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Abdominal muscles
The diaphragm is the main muscle used for breathing. It is a thin, dome-shaped muscle located at the base of the lungs that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. During inhalation, the diaphragm contracts, moving downwards and increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity, which in turn produces lung expansion and draws air into the lungs.
The abdominal muscles are accessory expiratory muscles that help to empty the lungs during forceful exhalation. They include the rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, external oblique muscle, and internal oblique muscle. These abdominal muscles press the abdominal organs upwards into the diaphragm, reducing the volume of the thoracic cavity.
The rectus abdominis pulls the ribs down during active expiration, increasing intra-abdominal pressure and pushing the diaphragm upwards. The internal oblique and external oblique muscles are also involved in exhalation, pulling the ribs downwards and inward, further reducing the size of the thoracic cavity.
During diaphragmatic breathing exercises, individuals are instructed to tighten their abdominal muscles as they exhale through pursed lips. This technique helps to strengthen the diaphragm, decrease the work of breathing, and increase lung efficiency.
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Muscles of the face, mouth and pharynx
The diaphragm is the main muscle used for breathing. However, the muscles of the face, mouth, and pharynx also play a role in controlling the lips, tongue, soft palate, and other structures to help with breathing.
Muscles of the Face, Mouth, and Pharynx
The face has about 20 facial muscles that enable functions like chewing and making facial expressions. These muscles are located throughout the face, including the ears, mouth, forehead, nose, and eyes. They are flat skeletal muscles that attach to different places on the skull. These muscles are also called craniofacial muscles.
The muscles that control facial expressions can be divided into three groups based on their location: orbital, nasal, and oral. The orbital group contains two muscles associated with the eye socket. The nasal group is associated with movements of the nose and the skin surrounding it. The oral group is responsible for the movements of the mouth and lips.
The oral muscles of facial expression include the orbicularis oris, buccinator, and various smaller muscles. The orbicularis oris is the main muscle of the lips, allowing them to close and narrow the oral opening. The buccinator is a thin, square-shaped muscle located between the mandible and maxilla. It helps to compress the cheek.
Other muscles of the mouth include the levator anguli oris, which elevates the angles of the lips, contributing to a smile. The depressor anguli oris is a triangular muscle that depresses the corners of the mouth and lowers the lip. The platysma is another muscle that helps open the mouth and allows the lowering of the corners of the mouth and lower lip.
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Exhalation and inhalation
The process of breathing involves two events: inspiration (inhalation) and expiration (exhalation). The diaphragm is the primary muscle responsible for inhalation, and it works in conjunction with various other muscles to facilitate breathing.
During inhalation, the diaphragm contracts and flattens, moving downward and increasing the vertical diameter of the thoracic cavity, which includes the chest cavity and the lungs. This contraction creates a vacuum, pulling air into the lungs and expanding the chest cavity. Additionally, the muscles between the ribs, known as the intercostal muscles, contract and pull the rib cage upward and outward, further enlarging the chest cavity. This upward movement of the ribs is facilitated by the accessory inspiratory muscles, which include the sternocleidomastoid, scalenus anterior, medius, and posterior, among others. These muscles assist in elevating the ribs and sternum, contributing to the expansion of the chest cavity during inhalation.
Upon exhalation, the diaphragm relaxes and returns to its dome-shaped form, reducing the space in the chest cavity. This relaxation, along with the elastic recoil of the lungs and surface tension, facilitates the passive process of exhalation at rest. However, during vigorous exercise, active exhalation occurs, involving the contraction of abdominal muscles, which raise abdominal pressure and push against the diaphragm, forcing air out of the lungs.
The process of breathing is tightly controlled by the respiratory centre located within the brain stem. Sensory organs in the brain and the aorta and carotid arteries monitor the blood to sense oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, adjusting the frequency and depth of breaths accordingly.
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Frequently asked questions
The diaphragm is the main muscle responsible for moving the lungs.
The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity.
During inhalation, the diaphragm contracts and moves down, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and producing lung expansion. When the diaphragm relaxes, the lungs deflate and air is exhaled.
Yes, the intercostal muscles between the ribs also play a role in breathing, particularly during physical activity. The abdominal muscles are also important during exhalation, especially during vigorous exercise.
If the diaphragm is damaged or stops functioning, a person may need a breathing machine (ventilator) to be able to breathe.
