Inspiration and Pressure

[rls303]

Hi everyone,
I was wondering during respiration, if they were to ask us what happens with regards the pressure in the pleural cavity, would they ask us after or before the air goes from atmosphere to inside our lungs?

Basically, is it that the diaphragm contracts and lowers the pressure inside lungs, and then the hi P outside goes to low P inside?

Would we then say that the pressure inside the lungs is higher than outside afterwards?

Thanks

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[fizzgig]

yes, diaphragm contracts, lowers pressure in lungs (negative gauge pressure, not negative absolute pressure), Pambient > Pinlungs, air goes into lungs.

at the end of inspiration when airflow stops, NO it is not higher than Pambient. the airflow stops because there is no gradient anymore, so it stops when Pambient = Pinlungs