The muscles of respiration work together, and they serve as a pump that pushes air into and out of your lungs when you breathe. What is included in the muscles of respiration?

1. Diaphragm

2. Intercostal Muscles

Explanation:

The muscles of respiration are those muscles that contribute to inhalation and exhalation, by aiding in the expansion and contraction of the thoracic cavity. The diaphragm and, to a lesser extent, the intercostal muscles drive respiration during quiet breathing.

1. The diaphragm is the major muscle responsible for breathing. It is a thin, dome-shaped muscle that separates the abdominal cavity from the thoracic cavity. During inhalation, the diaphragm contracts, so that it's center moves caudally (downward) and its edges move cranially (upward). This compresses the abdominal cavity, raises the ribs upward and outward and thus expands the thoracic cavity. This expansion draws air into the lungs. When the diaphragm relaxes, elastic recoil of the thoracic wall causes the thoracic cavity to contract, forcing air out of the lungs, and returning to its dome-shape

2. Intercostal Muscles

Along with the diaphragm, the intercostal muscles are one of the most important groups of respiratory muscles.

When you inhale: the internal intercostal muscles relax and the external intercostal muscles contract, pulling the ribcage upwards and outwards. the diaphragm contracts, pulling downwards. lung volume increases and the air pressure inside decreases.