Question

What is the function of diaphragm in human respiratory system ? Where is it present in human body ?

Hint:

Remember: Increase in Volume = Decrease in Pressure (Boyle's Law application in biology). This is why air enters the lungs during inhalation.

Answer 1

Function of Diaphragm in Human Respiratory System:

The diaphragm is a large, dome-shaped muscular sheet that plays a very important role in the process of breathing. It is the main muscle involved in respiration.

Function of Diaphragm:
1. During Inhalation (Breathing In):
When we inhale, the diaphragm contracts and flattens.
This increases the volume of the chest cavity.
As the volume increases, the air pressure inside the lungs decreases.
Due to this pressure difference, air from outside enters the lungs.

2. During Exhalation (Breathing Out):
When we exhale, the diaphragm relaxes and moves back to its original dome shape.
This decreases the volume of the chest cavity.
As a result, the air pressure inside the lungs increases and air is pushed out of the lungs.

Thus, the diaphragm helps in changing the volume and pressure inside the chest cavity, enabling inhalation and exhalation.

Location of Diaphragm in Human Body:
The diaphragm is present below the lungs.
It forms a partition between the thoracic cavity (chest cavity) and the abdominal cavity.
It separates the lungs and heart from the stomach, liver and intestines.

Conclusion:
The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle located below the lungs. It helps in breathing by contracting and relaxing, thereby changing the volume of the chest cavity and allowing air to enter and leave the lungs.