Anatomical basis for respiration in female Vs male

Let's learn the anatomical basis behind thoracoabdominal respiration in females and abdominothoracic respiration in males

1. Anatomy behind Thoracoabdominal respiration (Female) Vs Abdominothoracic respiration (Male)

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. F emales have greater inclination of rib cage than male 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 ? 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 ? It’s due to pregnancy in female. The more inclined rib cage in female is a functional adaptation to pregnancy to accommodate abdominal distension by pregnancy. 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 Females have smaller anterior-posterior diameter & lateral diameter of rib cage than males . It’s mostly accounted by greater inclination of rib cage. Male Female 3. Females have shorter diaphragm length than males Diaphragm is ~ 9 % shorter in females than male.

6. Abdominothoracic respiration in male Respiration in male is chiefly by diaphragm. Male have more horizontally oriented rib cage. So, there is inefficient action of intercostal muscles, making thoracic breathing less pronounced in male. 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 Male thoracic morphology (wider at caudal part) Greater mediolateral expansion of lower lungs More pyramidal shape of male lung.

7. Reference https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5980468/