Essay On Inhalation

Inspiration/ inhalation is the first half of the respiratory cycle where breath is drawn. Several muscles in the respiratory system contribute to the process of inhalation. However, the diaphragm and the external and internal intercostals are the primary muscles of inhalation. The diaphragm originates at ribs 7 through 12, the xiphoid process, and the first 3 lumbar vertebrae. The diaphragm inserts on its’ central tendon which it pulls down and forwards through contraction in order to increase the size of the thoracic cavity and compress the abdominal viscera. When the diaphragm contracts and pulls down the central tendon it flattens in result. Thus, allowing the lungs to be pulled down and the lung capacity to increase. Unlike most muscles in the respiratory system, the diaphragm is unpaired. In contrary, there are 11 pairs of both external and internal intercostal muscles. The intercostal muscles originate at the inferior surface of ribs 1 through 11 and insert on the superior surface of the next lower …show more content…
The primary role of the ventral thoracic muscles it to aid in movement of the arm and shoulder The ventral thoracic muscles include the pectoralis major, the pectoralis minor, the subclavius, and the serratus anterior. The ventral thoracic muscles help to elevate the rib cage, the sternum, and elevate specific ribs such as rib 1, ribs 2 through 5, and ribs 1-9. The dorsal thoracic muscles include the lateral iliocostalis, the latissimus dorsi, the levator costarum, and the serratus posterior superior. The dorsal thoracic muscles help to stabilize and elevate the posterior rib cage while elevating the lower ribs. The neck muscles consist of only the scalenes and the sternocleidomastoid. The scalenes helps to elevate ribs 1 and 2 while the sternocleidomastoid elevates the rib cage, the sternum, and the