The Lung Machine -- How the Lungs Work Diagram from the Lung Machine Lab Here's how it works: Inhaling Exhaling

The Lung Machine -- How the Lungs Work

Diagram from the Lung Machine Lab

Here is the diagram from our discussion of the Lung Machine lab.

Here's how it works:

Inhaling

When the diaphragm contracts it makes the smiley face shape.

When the diaphragm contracts it makes the volume of the chest cavity bigger.

This increase volume causes a decrease in air pressure as compared to the air outside the body.

Air from the outside rushes in to balance the air pressure inside the chest cavity and fills the lungs (inhalation).

Exhaling

When the diaphragm relaxes it makes the boo-boo face shape.

When the diaphragm relaxes it makes the volumes of the chest cavity smaller.

This decrease in volume causes an increase in air pressure as compared to the air outside the body.

Air from inside the chest cavity rushes out to balance the difference in the air pressure, deflating the lungs (exhalation).