Yoga as Therapeutic Exercise: A Practical Guide for Manual Therapists

Basic anatomy and physiology of respirationBasic anatomy and physiology of respiration Basic anatomy and physiology of respirationBasic anatomy and physiology of respiration

The muscles of respiration

The muscles of inspiration

The main muscles of inspiration are the diaphragm

and the external intercostal muscles. Parts of the

internal intercostal muscles are also involved (Netter

2006 ).

The diaphragm is a dome-shaped, musculoten-

dinous structure, separating the thoracic from the

abdominal cavity (Figure 5.3). It is attached to the

upper three lumbar vertebral bodies via the crurae,

which are tendinous pillars. It is also attached to

psoas and quadratus lumborum muscles through the

arcuate ligaments, the lower six ribs and their carti-

lages, and the xiphoid process of the sternum. Good

diaphragmatic function assists other structures, and

vice versa.

With inhalation the diaphragm contracts and

its central tendon moves downwards a few cen-

timeters. The vertical diameter of the thorax is

increased. The lower ribs are elevated and there-

fore the diameter of the lower thorax also increases.

The upper ribs are elevated and the anteroposterior

diameter of the chest increases. The organs under-

neath the diaphragm influence the mobility of the

diaphragm and the experience of respiration. The

dome of the diaphragm above the liver on the right

side is higher than above the stomach and spleen on

the left side. The liver is more solid and less com-

pressible than the stomach and the spleen. Mindful

awareness of the breathing movement in the area of

the diaphragm allows us to feel more resistance on

Capillaries

Alveoli

Alveolar

duct

Arteriole (from

pulmonary artery)

Elastic

fibres

Smooth

muscle

Respiratory

bronchiole

Tr achea

Main bronchus Bronchi

Venule (to

pulmonary

vein)

Figure 5.2 The alveoli.

L3

Aorta

Xiphoid process

of sternum

Oesophagus

Crura

Central tendon

Inferior vena cava

Figure 5.3 The diaphragm.