What exactly is happening when we expand our stomach when breathing and what specifically are we doing differently when we breathe through our chest?
In: 4
Our lungs don’t expand on their own the diaphragm moves down which create a mini vacuum in the lungs which then pulls air into the lungs, the movement of the diaphragm can also impact the stomach.
The stomach and the abdomen aren’t the same thing. Your torso is divided by a flat, circular muscle called the diaphragm into the thorax above and the abdomen below. The thorax contains organs like the heart & the lungs, and the abdomen contains most of the digestive system, including the stomach.
The process of breathing in starts with the diaphragm contracting, which pushes it downwards. This enlarges the thoracic cavity and decreases the pressure within it. As a result, a pressure differential is created between atmospheric air and the lungs, causing air to move in. The process of breathing out simply involves relaxing the diaphragm, which compresses the thorax, increasing the pressure beyond atmospheric, and causing air to flow out.
Muscles other than the diaphragm can aid respiration when needed (eg when exercising). This includes the intercostal muscles (between the ribs), some neck and shoulder muscles, and abdominal muscles.
The contraction of the diaphragm has another effect: it compresses the abdomen, which can cause it to protrude outwards, which seems to be the source of your confusion.
So to summarize:
1. The lungs aren’t inside the stomach.
2. You breathe air into your lungs, not your stomach (irrespective of whether you’re breathing through your nose or your mouth).
3. The stomach is an organ contained with the abdomen.
[deleted]
The stomach and the abdomen aren’t the same thing. Your torso is divided by a flat, circular muscle called the diaphragm into the thorax above and the abdomen below. The thorax contains organs like the heart & the lungs, and the abdomen contains most of the digestive system, including the stomach.
The process of breathing in starts with the diaphragm contracting, which pushes it downwards. This enlarges the thoracic cavity and decreases the pressure within it. As a result, a pressure differential is created between atmospheric air and the lungs, causing air to move in. The process of breathing out simply involves relaxing the diaphragm, which compresses the thorax, increasing the pressure beyond atmospheric, and causing air to flow out.
Muscles other than the diaphragm can aid respiration when needed (eg when exercising). This includes the intercostal muscles (between the ribs), some neck and shoulder muscles, and abdominal muscles.
The contraction of the diaphragm has another effect: it compresses the abdomen, which can cause it to protrude outwards, which seems to be the source of your confusion.
So to summarize:
1. The lungs aren’t inside the stomach.
2. You breathe air into your lungs, not your stomach (irrespective of whether you’re breathing through your nose or your mouth).
3. The stomach is an organ contained with the abdomen.
Latest Answers