What is the main function of the diaphragm in the respiratory system?

What is the main function of the diaphragm in the respiratory system?

• A. To circulate blood
• B. To assist in air exchange during breathing
• C. To filter air
• D. To produce sound

Answer: (B)

The diaphragm plays a crucial role in the respiratory system primarily by assisting in air exchange during the breathing process. It is a dome-shaped muscle located at the base of the thoracic cavity. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity, which decreases the pressure inside the lungs. This pressure difference allows air to be drawn into the lungs, facilitating inhalation. Conversely, when the diaphragm relaxes, it moves back to its original position, aiding in the expulsion of air from the lungs during exhalation. This action is vital for ensuring effective ventilation and oxygen exchange in the body. In contrast, circulating blood is the function of the cardiovascular system, not the diaphragm. Filtering air is primarily the responsibility of the upper respiratory tract, including the nose and sinuses, and the alveoli in the lungs, which trap particulates and pathogens. Producing sound is related to the movement of air through the vocal cords in the larynx, not directly to the function of the diaphragm itself.

The diaphragm plays a crucial role in the respiratory system primarily by assisting in air exchange during the breathing process. It is a dome-shaped muscle located at the base of the thoracic cavity. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity, which decreases the pressure inside the lungs. This pressure difference allows air to be drawn into the lungs, facilitating inhalation. Conversely, when the diaphragm relaxes, it moves back to its original position, aiding in the expulsion of air from the lungs during exhalation. This action is vital for ensuring effective ventilation and oxygen exchange in the body.

In contrast, circulating blood is the function of the cardiovascular system, not the diaphragm. Filtering air is primarily the responsibility of the upper respiratory tract, including the nose and sinuses, and the alveoli in the lungs, which trap particulates and pathogens. Producing sound is related to the movement of air through the vocal cords in the larynx, not directly to the function of the diaphragm itself.