Breathing, chest X-ray

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Comment by Jorgelito Hagens on November 30, 2016 at 8:08pm

Room to breathe, Science Photo Library

Coloured chest X-ray showing the heart and diaphragm during breathing. The diaphragm is the dark area at bottom. It is a sheet of muscle at the bottom of the rib cage, which contracts to increase the volume of the thoracic cavity, drawing air into the lungs. When it relaxes it returns to its original position, pushing air out of the lungs. The lungs are largely transparent to X-rays, while the ribs and spinal column are prominent. The beating heart is at centre right.