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What is the name given to the sheet of muscle that helps move air in and out of the lungs?

Asked by Khoward, Last updated: Apr 27, 2024

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M. Pollock

M. Pollock

A person who loves taking epic photos and an avid traveler

M. Pollock
M. Pollock, Photographer, BA, Camden Town

Answered Feb 19, 2021

The name given to the sheet of muscle that helps move air in and out of the lungs is the diaphragm. The diaphragm can be found just beneath the lungs, and it serves as the major muscle of respiration. This muscle is a bit large and dome shape-like that contrasts involuntarily continually and rhythmically.

When you inhale, you will notice that your chest cavity enlarges. This is due to the fact that the diaphragm flattens and contracts. A vacuum is created as a result of this contraction that pulls air into your lungs. On the other way round, when you exhale, your chest cavity is compressed.

This happens because the diaphragm relaxes, and then returns to the domelike shape which it took before. The diaphragm separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity. This makes the center of the diaphragm move downward (caudally), and the edges move upward (cranially).

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J. Shatner

J. Shatner

J. Shatner
J. Shatner, Content writer, Boston

Answered Feb 18, 2021

The diaphragm is a muscle which is situated below the lungs. It separates the organism from the abdomen. The diaphragm operates as the major muscle of respiration, and it helps to deliver clear, deep breaths, as it assists you with inhaling and exhaling. It is mostly comprised of muscle and fibrous tissue.

The parasympathetic nervous system controls the contraction and relaxation of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles. The diaphragm runs between the chest and the abdomen, dividing two large cavities. The diaphragm has openings that allow specific structures to bridge the chest and abdominal cavities. During motion, the diaphragm remains anchored to the ribs, sternum, and spine.

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C. Reyes

C. Reyes

C. Reyes
C. Reyes

Answered Feb 12, 2021

The name of this muscle is called the diaphragm. There are some people who do not think that this is important but it may be able to do more than what people expect it to do. This is a type of muscle that can be found below the lungs. This is considered to be the major muscle that can be used for respiration.

The shape of this is dome-shaped and it is also larger than the other organs of the body. This will normally move involuntarily. When people inhale, the diaphragm will contract and will also flatten so that the chest cavity will be enlarged. This is also in charge of separating the base of the chest from the abdomen.

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L. Gibson

L. Gibson

L. Gibson
L. Gibson, Science Professor

Answered Feb 10, 2021

The correct answer is Diaphragm.
The diaphragm is the sheet of muscle that helps move air in and out of the lungs. It is thin is a skeletal muscle that also divides the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity. The diaphragm is wide and dome in shape. During respiration, there is a continuous pattern of rhythmic contractions and relaxation. The contraction and relaxation of the diaphragm are involuntary most of the time.

During inspiration, the diaphragm contracts, and this allows the expansion of the chest cavity to pull in the air into the lungs. Upon expiration, the diaphragm relaxes, and it goes back to its dome shape, and this causes air to be expelled from the lungs.

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khoward27

khoward

khoward27
Khoward

Answered May 20, 2019

Diaphragm
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