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When the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles relax:

Question

When the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles relax:

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Solution

When the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles relax, it results in exhalation, or the process of breathing out. Here's the step-by-step process:

  1. The diaphragm, a dome-shaped muscle located below the lungs, relaxes and moves upwards into the thoracic cavity.

  2. The external intercostal muscles, located between the ribs, also relax, causing the ribs to lower.

  3. These movements decrease the space in the chest cavity, reducing its volume.

  4. As the volume of the chest cavity decreases, the pressure inside it increases.

  5. This increased pressure forces air out of the lungs, resulting in exhalation.

So, the relaxation of the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles is a crucial part of the breathing process, specifically in allowing us to exhale.

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During exhalation, what happens to the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles?

When the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles contract: choose one• none of these conditions would occur• intrapleural pressure decreases• intrapulmonary pressure increasesO expiration occurs• volume of the lungs decreases

What is happening to the diaphragm when the lungs are filling with air?relaxingcontractingfilling with air

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