Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
What happens during inhalation in terms of lung physiology?
A
The diaphragm relaxes and moves upward, decreasing thoracic cavity volume.
B
The intercostal muscles relax, causing the rib cage to collapse.
C
The diaphragm contracts and moves downward, increasing thoracic cavity volume.
D
The pressure inside the lungs increases, forcing air out.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that inhalation is the process of drawing air into the lungs, which involves changes in the thoracic cavity and lung physiology.
Recognize that during inhalation, the diaphragm, a dome-shaped muscle located at the base of the lungs, plays a crucial role by contracting and moving downward.
Note that as the diaphragm contracts and moves downward, it increases the volume of the thoracic cavity, which is the space where the lungs are located.
Understand that the increase in thoracic cavity volume leads to a decrease in the pressure inside the lungs (intrapulmonary pressure) compared to the atmospheric pressure outside the body.
Realize that this pressure difference causes air to flow into the lungs, as air moves from an area of higher pressure (outside the body) to an area of lower pressure (inside the lungs), facilitating inhalation.