Final answer:
The diaphragm is a dome-shaped skeletal muscle crucial for breathing. It separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities and alters the pressure and volume within the thoracic cavity to enable inhaling and exhaling.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Composition and Role of the Diaphragm
The diaphragm is a large, dome-shaped skeletal muscle located under the lungs that plays a crucial role in breathing. It separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity and is essential for the respiratory process. The diaphragm contracts and flattens, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and decreasing the pressure, allowing air to enter the lungs. This action is vital for inspiration, or inhaling.
When the diaphragm relaxes, it returns to a dome shape, decreasing thoracic volume and increasing pressure, which leads to expiration, or exhaling. As a skeletal muscle, it is under voluntary control, meaning we can influence our breathing pattern.The diaphragm is a dome-shaped skeletal muscle crucial for breathing. It separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities and alters the pressure and volume within the thoracic cavity to enable inhaling and exhaling.