Breathing mechanisms
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Respiratory Process: Inspiration, Expiration, and Gas Exchange
1. Inspiration
Process: During inspiration, the diaphragm muscle contracts, causing the normally dome-shaped diaphragm to flatten.
Result: This increases the chest cavity volume, creating negative pressure between the air in the lungs and the atmosphere, effectively sucking air into the lungs until pressures balance.
2. Expiration
Process: During expiration, diaphragm muscles relax, returning to a dome shape, decreasing the chest cavity volume.
Result: This creates positive pressure, pushing some air out of the lungs.
3. Costal Breathing
Description: Costal breathing is a shallow pattern of breathing through the chest and involves the contraction of the external intercostal muscles.
4. Diaphragmatic Breathing
Description: Diaphragmatic breathing is a deeper method of breathing through abdominal distension, involving the contraction and lowering of the diaphragm.
Benefits: Promoted for relaxation in activities like yoga and linked to improved health.
Note: Rib cage expansion is necessary during labored breathing, like high-intensity aerobic exercise.
5. Gas Exchange
Oxygen Flow: Oxygen is pulled down the bronchi and bronchioles into the alveoli due to negative pressure and concentration gradient.
Diffusion: Gas movement occurs from high to low concentration areas.
Oxygen Exchange: Oxygen diffuses into the bloodstream in the alveoli, binding to hemoglobin in red blood cells.
Carbon Dioxide Exchange: Carbon dioxide disassociates from hemoglobin and diffuses back into the lungs for exhalation.
Transport: Red blood cells, loaded with oxygen, are pumped into the bloodstream via the pulmonary vein towards the heart.