Involuntary breathing requires only two muscles, but voluntary breathing involves many more.
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involuntary breathing
Involuntary breathing is one that is carried out normally . The muscles that are responsible for guaranteeing breathing do not need brain orders at the level of consciousness, they perform their function without voluntariness.
Below are the only two types of muscles involved in this type of breathing. It goes without saying that they are the main muscles of respiration in general, as they are vital for survival.
1. Diaphragm
The diaphragm is a very large muscle below the lungs . It is the main responsible for breathing to occur, and it is the main responsible for the internal pressures that allow air to be inhaled and exhaled.
2. External intercostal muscles
The external intercostal muscles are heavily involved in respiration . They have the great responsibility of guaranteeing breathing as a natural and involuntary act. They cover the entire internal part between the ribs and the lungs.
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forced breathing
The human being is able to voluntarily control the respiratory process . It is capable of increasing the speed, the amount of air exhaled or inhaled, or the depth of breathing.
It is undoubtedly a movement caused by many more muscles. For example, if the rectus abdominis muscles are contracted voluntarily, it can be observed that the lungs automatically tend to expel air.
3. Supracostal muscles
There are twelve supracostal or rib elevator muscles . They occupy the intercostal spaces and are oriented downwards and backwards. They leave the last part of the intercostal space free, and their insertion is from the transverse process to the rib below.
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4. Levator scapulae muscle
This muscle is located at the bottom of the neck . It is also called the angular muscle of the scapula and it is triangular in shape and there is one on each side. Although it may seem located in a place far from the lungs, it participates as one of the main muscles of respiration.
5. Rectus abdominis muscle
The rectus abdominis muscle is one of those that form the anterior abdominal wall . It originates on the outer aspect of the cartilage of the fifth and seventh ribs and inserts with a tendon on the superior border of the pubis. It is one of the most obvious voluntary muscles involved in breathing.
6. Pectoralis major muscle
The pectoralis major muscle is a superficial muscle of the chest . It assumes a square shape when the arm is hanging and a triangular shape when the arm is fully flexed.
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7. Pectoralis minor muscle
The pectoralis minor muscle is thin and flat , located below the pectoralis major muscle. It is located at the height of the third, fourth and fifth ribs. It is a muscle that goes unnoticed but is involved in voluntary breathing.
8. Serratus posterior superior muscle
The serratus posterior superior muscle is situated on the posterior dorsum . It goes from the spine to the upper ribs in both directions. This is another of the main muscles of respiration that is sometimes neglected.
9. Transversus abdominis muscle
The transversus abdominis muscle originates from the inner aspect of the last six ribs . Its fibers have a transverse orientation and are placed deep in the internal oblique muscle. Together with the rectus abdominis muscle, it plays an important role in influencing voluntary breathing.
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10. Iliocostal muscle
The iliocostalis muscle is very long and is actually made up of three smaller muscles . These are the dorsal iliocostal muscle, the cervical iliocostal muscle, and the lumbar iliocostal muscle.
11. Abdominal internal oblique muscle
The abdominal internal oblique muscle is one of the main muscles of voluntary breathing . It is a muscle of the abdomen that is located below the oblique major, and its function is to flex and rotate the thorax. Its shape is flat and it is wide, having a couple of them.
12. Scalene muscles
The scalene muscles are three pairs of muscles located on the sides of the neck , running from the cervical vertebrae to the first and second ribs. These are the anterior scalene, middle scalene, and posterior scalene muscles.
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13. Infrahyoid muscles
The infrahyoid muscles are also found in the neck, but on the inside. They are located behind the nut, and participate in swallowing and speech.
14. Sternocleidomastoid muscle
The sternocleidomastoid muscle is a muscle of the anterolateral region of the neck that originates from the head of the sternum and the clavicular head. Although it seems that something goes unnoticed, it is one of the main muscles of respiration.
15. Subclavius muscle
The subclavius muscle makes up one of the muscles in the front of the chest . It is, therefore, a muscle that can be classified together with the pectoralis major muscle, the pectoralis minor muscle, and the serratus anterior muscle.
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Bibliographic references
- Drake, R.L. (2006). Gray. Anatomy for Students. Elsevier
- Fucci, S., Benigni, V., & Fornasari, V. (2003). Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Applied to Muscle Conditioning (4th Edition). Elsevier .
- Netter, FH (2011). Atlas of human anatomy (5th edition). Masson .
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.