Mechanics of Breathing Quiz

What initiates the process of inspiration?

• Contraction of the abdominal muscles

• Contraction of the diaphragm

• Expansion of the thoracic cavity

• Relaxation of the diaphragm

Which muscles are primarily responsible for the process of inspiration?

• Latissimus dorsi and trapezius

• Internal intercostals and abdominal muscles

• External intercostals and diaphragm

• Serratus anterior and pectoralis minor

How do the external intercostals contribute to inspiration?

• By pulling the ribs upward and outward

• By pulling the ribs downward

• By compressing the abdominal cavity

• By decreasing the volume of the thoracic cavity

What is the effect of the diaphragm's contraction on the thoracic cavity?

• It increases the volume of the thoracic cavity

• It only affects the abdominal cavity

• It decreases the volume of the thoracic cavity

• It has no effect on the volume

What is the role of the phrenic nerve in breathing?

• It stimulates the abdominal muscles to contract

• It innervates the diaphragm, causing it to contract

• It controls the external intercostals

• It decreases the volume of the thoracic cavity

What triggers the contraction of the external intercostals?

• Increase in intrapleural pressure

• Automatic reflexes from the spinal cord

• Decrease in atmospheric pressure

• Signals from the cerebral cortex

What is the primary function of the ventral respiratory group in the medulla?

• To increase the volume of the thoracic cavity

• To stimulate the contraction of abdominal muscles

• To decrease the rate of breathing

• To regulate the rhythm of breathing

What role does the cerebral cortex play in voluntary breathing?

• It regulates the exchange of gases in the alveoli

• It has no role in breathing

• It primarily controls the rate of breathing

• It sends signals to respiratory muscles for voluntary movements

According to Boyle's law, what happens to the pressure inside the thoracic cavity as its volume increases?

• Pressure increases

• Pressure remains the same

• Pressure decreases

• Pressure fluctuates

What happens to intrapleural pressure during inspiration?

• It decreases

• It remains constant

• It increases significantly

• It becomes positive