Understanding Respiratory Anatomy

1. Objectives at a Glance
2. Respiratory Anatomy Part 1 – Introduction
3. Respiratory Anatomy Part 2 – Accessory Muscles & More

1. Respiratory Anatomy Introduction
   Get ready to dive into the wonderful mechanics of your respiratory system. Yes, it’s just as fun as it sounds.
2. Respiratory Anatomy Part 2 – Accessory Muscles & More
   Let’s spice things up with the nasal cycle and the party of muscles that help you breathe, plus a sprinkle of inspiration and expiration action.

This lesson guides you through the basic dance of your respiratory system. Inhale, exhale, repeat—it’s not just a catchy rhythm for meditation but the mechanical magic of breathing. Respiration, on the other hand, is the biochemical cha-cha of gas exchange inside your body.
Nestled snugly in your thoracic and abdominal cavities are your lungs and diaphragm, the unsung heroes of breathing. The diaphragm, with its invisible push-ups, increases thoracic volume on the inhale, dragging air into the lungs like an eager toddler into a candy store. As for exhalation, it’s a laid-back affair, with the diaphragm relaxing and air gently ushered out.
Remember, while you can’t command your lungs like a personal puppet show, your diaphragm runs the show with flair, unless, of course, it decides to slack off due to various issues, leaving you breathlessly challenged.

Welcome to the next thrilling installment, where we add layers to your respiratory understanding with a cast of muscle characters in the breathing process. Your nose, that marvel of nature, not only filters and humidifies air but puts on a little performance called the nasal cycle, swapping airflow between nostrils like a diligent stagehand.
Getting to grips with this cycle is crucial for recognizing each nostril’s little contribution to your breathing masterpiece. The usual stars of the respiratory show, the diaphragm and intercostals, keep things ticking over while accessory muscles, akin to understudies stepping in during peak times, assist when the going gets tough—say, during an intense yoga session.
Wind-down time involves six supportive muscles, including the internal intercostals and abdominal friends, flexing for more robust exhalations. It’s worth noting that the upper lungs have a lesser fill capacity than their lower siblings, owing to their positioning and that undeniable force, gravity. Thus, intercostal muscles work diligently, maintaining thoracic volume through this unending cycle of breath.

For more detailed information, please visit Ashtanga Study Guide: Respiratory Anatomy.