Breathing

Description

Your respiratory system's primary organs are the lungs, one on each side of your heart, within a space called the thoracic cavity. The ribcage surrounds the cavity, and the diaphragm, a sheet of muscle, is its floor, separating the cavity from your abdominal cavity. Other respiratory system organs are the trachea (windpipe) and bronchi, which conduct air to your lungs, and pleural membranes, which allow your lungs to move smoothly within the thoracic cavity. Respiration (breathing) has two phases: inspiration (inhalation) and expiration (exhalation). During inspiration, your diaphragm contracts and pulls downward while muscles between your ribs contract and pull upward. These actions increase the thoracic cavity's size, while the pressure within decreases. As a result, air rushes in and fills your lungs. During exhalation, your diaphragm relaxes, and the volume of the thoracic cavity decreases, while the pressure within increases. As a result, your lungs contract and air is forced out.

Runtime

2 min

Subjects

Genre

Date of Publication

[2013], c2010

Database

Films on Demand

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