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Inhalation
 
 
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Inhalation (also known as inspiration) is the movement of air from the external environment, through the air ways, and into the alveoli.

Inhalation begins with the onset of contraction of the diaphragm, which results in expansion of the intrapleural space and an increase in negative pressure according to Boyle's Law
Boyle's law

Boyle's law is one of several gas laws and a special case of the ideal gas law. Boyle's law describes the inversely proportional relationship between the absolute pressure and volume of a gas, if the temperature is kept constant within a closed system....
. This negative pressure generates airflow because of the pressure difference between the atmosphere and alveolus.






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Inhalation (also known as inspiration) is the movement of air from the external environment, through the air ways, and into the alveoli.

Inhalation begins with the onset of contraction of the diaphragm, which results in expansion of the intrapleural space and an increase in negative pressure according to Boyle's Law
Boyle's law

Boyle's law is one of several gas laws and a special case of the ideal gas law. Boyle's law describes the inversely proportional relationship between the absolute pressure and volume of a gas, if the temperature is kept constant within a closed system....
. This negative pressure generates airflow because of the pressure difference between the atmosphere and alveolus. Air enters, inflating the lung through either the nose
Nose

Anatomically, a nose is a protuberance in vertebrates that houses the nostrils, or nares, which admit and expel air for Respiration in conjunction with the mouth....
 or the mouth
Mouth

The mouth, buccal cavity, or oral cavity is the first portion of the alimentary canal that receives food and begins digestion by mechanically breaking up the solid food particles into smaller pieces and mixing them with saliva....
 into the pharynx
Pharynx

FunctionsThe pharynx is part of the digestive system and respiratory system of many organisms.Because both food and Earth's atmosphere pass through the pharynx, a flap of connective tissue called the epiglottis closes over the trachea when food is swallowed to prevent choking or Pulmonary aspiration....
 (throat
Throat

In anatomy, the throat is the anterior part of the neck, in front of the vertebrae. It consists of the pharynx and larynx. An important feature of the throat is the epiglottis, a flap which separates the esophagus from the vertebrate trachea and prevents inhalation of food or drink....
) and trachea
Vertebrate trachea

The traceartes, or windpipe, is a tube that has an inner diameter of about 20-25 mm and a length of about 10-16 cm in humans. It commences at the larynx and bifurcates into the primary bronchus in mammals, and from the pharynx to the syrinx in birds, allowing the passage of air to the lungs....
 before entering the alveoli.

Other muscles that can be involved in inhalation include:
  • External intercostal muscles
  • Scalene muscles
    Scalene muscles

    The scalene muscles are a group of three pairs of muscles in the lateral neck, namely the scalenus anterior, scalenus medius, and scalenus posterior....
  • Sternocleidomastoid muscle
    Sternocleidomastoid muscle

    In human anatomy, the sternocleidomastoid muscle, also known as sternomastoid and commonly abbreviated as SCM, is a paired muscle in the superficial layers of the anterior portion of the neck....
  • Trapezius muscle
    Trapezius muscle

    In human anatomy, the trapezius is a large superficial muscle which extends longitudinally from the occipital bone to the lower thoracic vertebrae, and laterally to the spine of the scapula ....


See also

  • Inhalant
    Inhalant

    Inhalants are a broad range of drugs in the forms of gases,aerosols, or solvents which are breathed in and absorbed through the lungs. While some inhalant drugs are used for List of medical inhalants, as in the case of nitrous oxide , this article focuses on the non-medical use of inhalants, as recreational drugs which are used for their int...
     - Psychoactive drugs consumed through inhalation
  • Respiratory system
    Respiratory system

    A respiratory system?s function is to allow gas exchange. The space between the alveoli and the capillaries, the anatomy or structure of the exchange system, and the precise physiological uses of the exchanged gases vary depending on the organism....
  • Ventilation (physiology)
    Ventilation (physiology)

    In respiratory physiology, ventilation is the rate at which gas enters or leaves the lung. It is categorised under the following definitions:...