: The external intercostal muscles contract, pulling the rib cage upward and outward.
"Breathing in," or , is the active phase of the respiratory cycle where air is drawn into the lungs. This process is driven by muscular contraction that creates a pressure gradient between the atmosphere and the chest cavity. Key Features of Inhalation
: These muscular actions expand the thoracic cavity, increasing the volume of the lungs. breathing in
: As volume increases, the air pressure inside the lungs decreases below atmospheric pressure.
: Tiny air sacs where gas exchange occurs with capillaries. Structure and function of the gas exchange system - BBC : The external intercostal muscles contract, pulling the
: Air is "sucked in" through the nose or mouth to equalize this pressure, traveling down the trachea and into the alveoli.
🫁 : The primary "product" of this phase is the delivery of fresh oxygen ( O2cap O sub 2 Key Features of Inhalation : These muscular actions
: The diaphragm (a dome-shaped muscle) contracts and moves downward.