2. Anatomical differences between
male & female respiration
Female Male
Rib cage inclination Greater rib cage
inclination
More horizontally
oriented
Rib cage dimensions
(Anterior-posterior diameter,
lateral diameter)
Lesser Greater
Diaphragm length Shorter
(by ~ 9% than male)
Longer
Breathing type Thoracoabdominal
(chiefly by ribs)
Abdominothoracic
(chiefly by diaphragm)
3. Thoracoabdominal respiration in female
1. Females have greater inclination of rib cage than male
ďź More inclined ribs make intercostal (inspiratory) muscles
raise ribs more effectively. So, increased action of intercostal
muscles account for more pronounced thoracic breathing.
Frontal view Lateral view
* Blue (Male), Red (Female)
4. ⢠But why do females have more inclined rib cage ?
ďź Unlike male, whose rib cage play a role to accommodate
lung volume displacement only, female rib cage serve
dual role to accommodate both lung volume &
abdominal volume displacement. So, females have large
volume capacity of rib cage compared to their lung size.
⢠Why is abdominal displacement so important in female ?
ďź Itâs due to pregnancy in female. The more inclined rib
cage in female is a functional adaptation to pregnancy to
accommodate abdominal distension by pregnancy.
ďź This minimizes the distending effect of pregnant uterus
on lung & also decreases abdominal pressure.
5. Thoracoabdominal respiration in female
2. Females have shorter rib cage dimensions
ďź Females have smaller anterior-posterior diameter &
lateral diameter of rib cage than males.
ďź Itâs mostly accounted by greater inclination of rib cage.
Male Female
3. Females have shorter diaphragm length than males
ďź Diaphragm is ~ 9 % shorter in females than male.
6. Abdominothoracic respiration in male
⢠Respiration in male is chiefly by diaphragm.
ďź Male have more horizontally oriented rib cage. So, there
is inefficient action of intercostal muscles, making
thoracic breathing less pronounced in male.
ďź Males have longer diaphragm
(~9 % greater than females)
⢠Diaphragmatic breathing could be a compensation for
inefficient action of intercostal muscles in male.
⢠Greater diaphragmatic action in male is linked to
ďź Male thoracic morphology (wider at caudal part)
ďź Greater mediolateral expansion of lower lungs
ďź More pyramidal shape of male lung.