Inhalation vs. Exhalation
Key Differences
Comparison Chart
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Gasses
Process
Chest Cavity
Lungs
Diaphragm
Muscles
Rib Cage
Inhalation and Exhalation Definitions
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Inhalation vs. Exhalation
Breathing is a characteristic of life. All the living organisms breath to get useful gases and to release harmful gases from the body. The intake of air or oxygen into the lungs is known as inhalation while the process of releasing carbon dioxide is known as exhalation. A single breath comprises one complete inhalation and exhalation process. The breathing rate varies from person to person and according to their daily activities. The average breathing rate of a common person is 15 to 18 times per minute. During heavy exercise or running etc. it may increase to 25 times per minute. The volume of the lung increases during inhalation while the process of exhalation deflated them. The diaphragm also plays its role in breathing. It contracts and gets flatten by moving down during inhalation while it relaxes and become dome-shaped by moving up during exhalation.
What is Inhalation?
Inhalation is also known as inspiration and referred to as “Breathing in”. It happens automatically and can be consciously controlled but within limits. Inhalation is a part of the cycle of breathing. It involves the intake of air through nostrils. Air rich with oxygen passes through the nasal cavity and reaches the lungs. The lungs are found in the chest cavity and are surrounded by the rib cage. The diaphragm which is a large muscular sheet located on the bottom of the cavity. During inhalation, when air reaches in lungs, diaphragm contracts and moves downward. So, it increases the space in the chest cavity and provides space to the lungs to expand. The internal intercostal muscles of the ribs relax while external costal muscles contract during inhalation. It pulls the rib cage both upward and outward and increases the space of the chest cavity. From the lungs, oxygen after passing through bronchial tubes reaches the alveoli. The oxygen or air reaches the blood vessels by passing through the thin walls of alveoli. Hemoglobin in blood vessels carries the oxygen and moves it throughout the body.
What is Exhalation?
Exhalation is also known as “Breathing out”. This process is entirely opposite to the inhalation process. The volume of the lungs decreases. The diaphragm relaxes and becomes dome-shaped. Intercostal muscles of the rib cage also relax. So, all these things combine to reduce the size of the chest cavity. These steps force carbon dioxide rich air out of the lungs and windpipe and finally out of the body through the nose.
