Physiology of Breathing

The Breathing Muscles

Photo © A.D.A.M

When you inhale, the diaphragm and muscles between your ribs contract, creating a negative pressure - or vacuum – inside your chest cavity. The negative pressure draws the air that you breathe into your lungs.

• How Your Lungs Work
• The Breathing Muscles
• Inflation of the Lungs
• Taking a Breath
• Entering the Lungs
• Entering the Bronchial Tree
• Branching Out into Bronchioles
• Filling Up Air Pockets
• Gas Exhange
• Blowing it All Out