The ___________ is a strong wall of muscle that contracts to create a suction in the chest to draw in air and expand the lungs. When the muscle relaxes, the chest cavity decreases and the air is pushed out.
The diaphragm is the strong wall of muscle that contracts to create a suction in the chest to draw in air and expand the lungs. When the muscle relaxes, the chest cavity decreases and the air is pushed out.
Which of the following statements best describes how oxygen enters the lungs?
(1 point)
Responses
Oxygen enters the lungs through the trachea, which branches into two tubes called the bronchi, which lead to the lungs.
Oxygen enters the lungs through the trachea, which branches into two tubes called the bronchi, which lead to the lungs.
Oxygen enters the lungs through the diaphragm, which branches into two tubes called the trachea.
Oxygen enters the lungs through the diaphragm, which branches into two tubes called the trachea.
Oxygen enters the lungs through bronchi, which branches into two tubes called the bronchioles.
Oxygen enters the lungs through bronchi, which branches into two tubes called the bronchioles.
Oxygen enters the lungs through the trachea, which branches into the alveoli.
The strong wall of muscle that contracts to create a suction in the chest to draw in air and expand the lungs is called the diaphragm. When the diaphragm relaxes, the chest cavity decreases and the air is pushed out.
The blank in the statement is filled by the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a strong, dome-shaped muscle located at the base of the chest cavity, separating the chest from the abdomen.
To understand how the diaphragm contracts and relaxes to create suction and push out air, let's break it down:
1. Contraction: When you inhale, the diaphragm contracts or flattens downwards. This contraction increases the space within the chest cavity, creating a vacuum effect. It creates negative pressure, pulling the air into the lungs.
2. Expansion: As the diaphragm contracts and moves downwards, it creates more space in the chest cavity. This expansion allows the lungs to expand, reducing the pressure inside the lungs. As a result, air from the atmosphere moves down the pressure gradient and into the lungs. This is known as inhalation or inspiration.
3. Relaxation: During exhalation or expiration, the diaphragm relaxes and resumes its dome shape. When the diaphragm relaxes, it moves upwards, reducing the space within the chest cavity. The decrease in space increases the pressure within the lungs, pushing the air out.
So, the diaphragm plays a crucial role in the process of respiration by contracting and relaxing, creating the necessary changes in pressure to draw in air during inhalation and push out air during exhalation.