If a lung is punctured in a car accident, that lobe fails

toinflate even though there is no obstruction of the air

passagewayto that lobe. Why?

A. the trauma must have damaged the nerve path controlling

theribs on that side of the lung.

B. negative feedback prevents the ribs and diaphragm on

thatside from causing pain.

C. when the chest volume expands, air can now rush in

throughthe puncture without filling the alveoli.

D. mucus or blood must be filling the lobe.

E. stimulation of stretch receptors in the alveolar

wallsinitiate inhibitory nerve impulses.

C. When the chest volume expands, air can now rush in through the puncture without filling the alveoli.

Explanation:

During inhalation, the contraction of the diaphragm and the external intercostals increase the volume of the chest cavity. As the chest cavity expands, the alveolar pressure become lower than the atmospheric pressure resulting in the flow of air into the lungs in response to the pressure gradient.

The chest cavity is an airtight chamber. This ensures that any changes in the volume of are chest cavity corresponds to the volume of the lungs. If a lung is punctured, the air would not fill the punctured lung but would escape through the hole. Therefore, the punctured lung would not be filled with air during inhalation.