The contraction of the diaphragm and the external intercostal muscles begins inspiration. What happens, in terms of volume and pressure changes in the lungs, when these muscles contract?

A member of the 'Blues' gang was rushed into an emergency room after receiving a knife wound in the left side of his thorax. The diagnosis was pneumothorax and a collapsed lung. Explain exactlya. why the lung collapsed, andb. why only one lung (not both) collapsed.

Describe the functional relationships between volume changes and gas flow into and out of the lungs.

When the inspiratory muscles contract,a. the size of the thoracic cavity increases in diameter,b. the size of the thoracic cavity increases in length,c. the volume of the thoracic cavity decreases,d. the size of the thoracic cavity increases in both length and diameter.

Cary hyperventilates for several minutes before diving into a swimming pool. After he enters and begins swimming underwater, he blacks out and almost drowns. What caused this to happen?

a. Differentiate clearly between minute ventilation and alveolar ventilation rate.b. Which provides a more accurate measure of ventilatory efficiency, and why?

What is the significance of (a) Boyle's law, to the process of respiration?

When the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles contract, (a) exhalation occurs, (b) intrapulmonary pressure increases, (c) intrapleural pressure decreases, (d) the volume of the lungs decreases, (e) the size of the thoracic cavity increases.

During inspiration, air moves into the lungs because __________.