Which group of muscles is primarily responsible for inhalation?

The external intercostal muscles play a crucial role in the process of inhalation. When these muscles contract, they elevate the rib cage, which expands the thoracic cavity and decreases the pressure within the lungs. This pressure gradient allows air to flow into the lungs, facilitating breathing.

While the diaphragm is also a key muscle in inhalation, its function works in conjunction with the external intercostal muscles. The diaphragm descends when it contracts, further increasing lung volume alongside the action of the external intercostals. Understanding the interplay between these muscles is essential, as inhalation relies on more than one muscle group to effectively draw air into the lungs. However, in terms of primary responsibility, the external intercostal muscles are significant drivers of the inhalation process alongside the diaphragm.

Contexts such as the roles of the internal intercostal and abdominal muscles are important for expiration rather than inhalation, as they typically function to decrease the volume of the thoracic cavity, expelling air from the lungs.