Expiratory Muscles

Question

Expiratory muscles
A) Assist the diaphragm's movement back to its relaxed, dome-shaped configuration
B) Are important for tidal breathing purposes only
C) Are in direct contact with the diaphragm
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Expiratory muscles, such as the internal intercostal muscles and abdominal muscles, assist in forced expiration by pushing the abdominal organs against the diaphragm, helping it move back to its relaxed, dome-shaped configuration. They are not solely for tidal breathing, which is mostly a passive process, nor are they in direct contact with the diaphragm.