Animation of inhaling and exhaling (breathing in and out)

Both the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles contribute to changes in the size of the chest, and hence to the pressure within the thoracic cavity, resulting in changes in the size of the lungs. Note how the diaphragm nearly flattens during breathing in, but always remains curved upwards. It remains attached to the sides of the ribs and varies in curvature.
chest changes when exhaling and inhaling

This page relates to a BioTopics unit on The Human Respiratory System

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