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because it divides the chest from the abdomen

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Chanelle Morar

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3y ago
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15y ago

The contraction (flattening) of the diaphragm, coupled with the outward movement of the ribs leads to an increase in the thoracic cavity volume (chest volume). An increase in volume decreases the pressure, and therefore air is forced into the lungs from outside.

Therefore the diaphragm aids in changing the volume and pressure of the thoracic cavity.

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8y ago

When you breathe in, or inhale, your diaphragm contracts (tightens) and moves downward. This increases the space in your chest cavity, into which your lungs expand. The intercostal muscles between your ribs also help enlarge the chest cavity.

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6y ago

When you breathe out, or exhale, your diaphragm relaxes and moves upward into the chest cavity.

The intercostal muscles between the ribs also relax to reduce the space in the chest cavity.

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8y ago

The diaphragm is the main muscle involved in breathing. It moves down to increase the size of the chest cavity, causing an in-breath, and up to expel air. Intercostal muscles help by pulling the ribs up and out to increase the chest cavity volume when breathing in.

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16y ago

It helps inhaling while compressing the abdominal cavity.

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16y ago

When the scalenes and external intercostals contract while the diaphragm descends, your lungs inhale air. When your abdominal muscles contract and the diaphragm rises, you exhale.

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13y ago

the diaphragm contracts to allow enough room for the lungs to inflate then it expands to aid in the release of the breath.

hope this helps! -^-^-

~Luna Dragana~

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Q: What roles do the diaphragm and intercostal muscles play in breathing?
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