Which muscles do we use to breathe?How do these muscles work so that air is drawn into our bodies?

The primary muscles involved in the process of breathing are the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles.

1. Diaphragm: The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle located at the base of the lungs. It is the most important muscle used for breathing. When you inhale, the diaphragm contracts and moves downward, increasing the space in your chest cavity and allowing your lungs to expand. When you exhale, the diaphragm relaxes and moves upward into the chest cavity, helping to expel air out of the lungs.

2. Intercostal Muscles: These are the muscles that run between your ribs, and they assist the diaphragm in expanding and contracting the chest cavity. When you inhale, the external intercostal muscles contract, pulling the ribs upward and outward, expanding the chest cavity. When you exhale, the internal intercostal muscles contract, pulling the ribs inward and reducing the space in the chest cavity.

In addition to these, several other muscles assist in the process of breathing, especially during heavy breathing or exercise. These include the muscles in your neck, such as the sternocleidomastoid and the scalene muscles, which help lift the chest cavity to allow for greater air intake.