Article by Louisa Richards, Medically Reviewed by Stacy Sampson
Breathing is usually an unconscious process. However, there are some optimal ways to breathe.
This article looks at what happens inside a person’s body when they breathe.
It also provides some tips and exercises for improving breathing efficiency. These are suitable for people with respiratory conditions and those without them.
What happens when a person breathes?
Breathing through the nose may make the lungs work more efficiently.
Breathing, or respiration, is a complex process of air exchange that involves the following parts of the body:
The lungs: These are a pair of spongy organs that sit on either side of the chest. The lungs expand when a person breathes in and contract when they breathe out. Each lung is surrounded by a thin membrane called the pleura, which protects the lung and allows it to slide back and forth during breathing.
The diaphragm: This is a thin muscle that sits beneath the lungs and above the abdominal cavity. Its up-and-down movement helps the lungs contract and expand.
The intercostal muscles: These are muscles that run between the ribs. They assist breathing by helping the chest cavity expand and contract.
The lungs, diaphragm, and intercostal muscles work together to allow a person to breathe.
To breathe in, the diaphragm contracts and moves downward. This increases the space in the chest cavity, allowing the lungs to expand and fill with air...
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