During normal expiration, what occurs to the diaphragm?

During normal expiration, the diaphragm relaxes and ascends. This process occurs as part of the respiratory cycle. When we exhale, the diaphragm, which is a dome-shaped muscle at the base of the thoracic cavity, stops contracting. As a result, it relaxes and moves upward into the thoracic cavity. This upward movement reduces the volume of the chest cavity, which helps to push air out of the lungs.

During expiration, the elastic nature of the lung tissue also contributes to the expulsion of air; as the diaphragm ascends and the volume decreases, the pressure inside the thoracic cavity becomes greater than the pressure outside, causing air to flow out of the lungs. Understanding this physiological mechanism is crucial for professionals working in fields related to respiratory health and biofeedback, as it demonstrates the relationship between diaphragm movement and breathing patterns.