Question

Some changes take place in a person's diaphragm as he/ she inhales. Which of the following correctly describes those changes?

A. There is a contracting of abdominal muscles that makes the diaphragm move upward

B. There is a contracting of the diaphragm muscles in an upward direction

C. There is a contracting of the diaphragm in a downward direction

D. The diaphragm relaxes and becomes dome-shaped

Answer 1

During inhalation, the diaphragm contracts in a downward direction, expanding the thoracic cavity and decreasing the air pressure inside the lungs, causing air to enter the lungs.

Step-by-step explanation:

While inhaling, the correct description of the changes that take place in a person's diaphragm is there is a contracting of the diaphragm in a downward direction (C). Notably, the inhalation process involves an active movement due to the contraction of the diaphragm, which is a large sheet-like muscle located below the lungs. The contraction of the diaphragm results in an expansion of the thoracic cavity and concurrently pushes the contents of the abdomen downward, effectively increasing the volume of the chest, which leads to decreased air pressure inside the lungs. This lower air pressure causes air to rush into the lungs. The external intercostal muscles between the ribs also play a role in this process by expanding the ribs outward, especially during a forceful inhalation to further increase thoracic volume.