What Muscles Contract When You Breathe in
When you take a deep breath in, several muscles in your body work together to expand your lungs and bring oxygen into your body. These muscles include the diaphragm, intercostal muscles, and accessory muscles.
The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle located at the bottom of your rib cage. When you inhale, the diaphragm contracts and moves downward, creating more space in your chest cavity for your lungs to expand. As a result, more air can enter your lungs.
The intercostal muscles are located between your ribs, and there are two types: external and internal. The external intercostals help to lift your rib cage up and out, while the internal intercostals help to pull your rib cage down and in. Both sets of muscles work together to increase the size of your chest cavity and allow for greater lung expansion.
In addition to the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, there are also accessory muscles that can be used to help you breathe in. These include the sternocleidomastoid, which is located in your neck and helps to lift your chest up, and the scalene muscles, which are located in your neck and help to lift your upper ribs.
Overall, breathing in requires the coordinated effort of multiple muscles, working together to expand your lungs and bring in the oxygen your body needs. By understanding how these muscles work, you can improve your breathing techniques and optimize your body`s ability to take in oxygen.
