Why does a ribcage have cage
like structure with gaps in
between ?
Why it is not a sealed
structure?
Have you ever thought of it?
Well, lets learn and understand
what is the reason behind this
design.

Have you noticed the
movement of our
body when we
breathe?
The slight inward and
outward movement.
So do you know why
does that happen?

Breathing is a
physical
mechanism of
inhaling air and
exhaling it out of
the body.

The first step
is Inhalation
or Inspiration.
This is the
mechanism of
taking in air.

The diaphragm is a dome shaped muscular
tissue that separates the abdominal cavity
during inhalation the diaphragm flattens
making more space for the lungs in the
chest cavity. The ribs further move upwards
and outwards. It is due to this the ribs are
not sealed bones and having space to
provide space for the lungs to expand.
All these increases the volume of the lunges
decreasing its pressure. The decreased
pressure draws air inside the lungs. The
outside air is at a higher pressure hence
rushes inside the body to equalize.
The reverse situation occurs in the process
of exhalation. The diaphragm relaxes and
returns back to its normal dome shape, the
ribs contracts and as a result the volume of
the lungs reduces increasing the pressure
inside.

The pressure outside
is now low than the
air inside the lungs
hence the air rushes
inside to equalize the
pressure.
This process is called
exhalation or
expiration.

Our lungs can hold
a maximum of
6000ml of air
anytime. This is
called the total
lung capacity.

Now tell me is breathing a voluntary
or involuntary movement?
Can we control it?
Lets try ! Hold your breath
That’s difficult right?
So it is not under our control hence
breathing is an involuntary
movement. But to an extent we can
consciously control our rate of
breathing.
But a new born can breath 60 times
per minute.

A normal adult can
have 12-18 breaths
per minute.

But a new born can
breath 60 times per
minute.

So this is all about the
mechanism of breathing
Now I would like you to
count your breaths per
minute and let me know
in the next session.
Till then enjoy your
breathing !