Mechanics of inhalation and expiration?

Question

Hi I was wondering if anyone could give me a fairly basic description of the mechanics of inhalation and expiration.

Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks! :D

Answer 1

AS far as the mechanics go - Your diaprhagm (the large muscle that separates your chest cavity from your abdominal cavity) contracts bringing it downward. This creates a negative pressure in your lungs and basically sucks air in. When your diaphragm relaxes it moves up - creating a high pressure in your lungs - and you then exhale. (Basically pressures try to even out - When it is higher on one side air rushes to the other side.  So if it is higher outside - air rushes into your lungs. If it is higher in your lungs - air rushes out)

now there is a whole process that is pretty in depth on how your brain knows it it time to breathe. - That is more Pathophysiology not mecahnical. It is about different receptors in teh blood lungs and heart. Hope it helped!!!