Human Anatomy and Physiology : Help with Inspiration and Expiration Physiology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Human Anatomy and Physiology

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Respiratory Physiology

A man who suffers from complete paralysis of his intercostal muscles would still have a normal value for his __________.

Possible Answers:

None of the volumes listed

total lung capacity (TLC)

expiratory reserve volume (ERV)

inspiratory reserve volume (IRV)

vital capacity (VC)

Correct answer:

None of the volumes listed

Explanation:

None of the volumes listed would be normal. The internal intercostal muscles contribute to forced expiration and would affect ERV, TLC and VC. The external intercostal muscles contribute to inspiration and would affect the IRV, TLC and VC. Thus, none of the above volumes could be normal in a man who has non-functioning intercostal muscles.

Example Question #12 : Respiratory Physiology

When exercising, the muscles of inspiration include __________.

Possible Answers:

transversus abdominis, rectus abdominis, external intercostals

external intercostals, scalene muscles, sternocleidomastoids

internal and external obliques

internal intercostals only

rectus abdominis, external intercostals, internal intercostals

Correct answer:

external intercostals, scalene muscles, sternocleidomastoids

Explanation:

When exercising, the muscles of inspiration include: external intercostals, scalene muscles, sternocleidomastoids.

When exercising, the muscles of expiration include: rectus abdominis, internal and external obliques, transversus abdominis, internal intercostals.

Example Question #13 : Respiratory Physiology

During quiet breathing, which of the following is the main inspiratory muscle operating? 

Possible Answers:

diaphraghm 

internal intercostals 

accessory muscles 

abdominal wall muscles 

external intercostals 

Correct answer:

diaphraghm 

Explanation:

The main inspiratory muscle involved in quiet breathing is the diaphragm, which is a dome shaped sheet of skeletal muscle that is attached to the ribs, sternum, and vertebral column. External intercostals are also involved in quiet breathing, but if these muscles were impaired, quiet breathing would still continue because the diaphragm is the main muscle involved. Accessory muscles are not involved in quiet breathing, but may become involved during exercise. The abdominal wall muscles and internal muscles are both involved in expiration. 

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