The Diaphragm

The diaphragm is a large, dome-shaped muscle below your lungs. It is the main muscle that helps you breathe. Every time you take a breath, your diaphragm moves up and down.

How Breathing Works

When you breathe in, your diaphragm pulls down and flattens out. This makes more room in your chest for your lungs to fill with air. When you breathe out, the diaphragm relaxes and pushes up, squeezing air out of your lungs.

You do not have to think about breathing. Your brain tells the diaphragm to keep moving, even when you are asleep.

Hiccups and the Diaphragm

Hiccups happen when your diaphragm twitches or spasms. The sudden movement makes you suck in air quickly, and your vocal cords snap shut with a hic sound.

Eating too fast, drinking fizzy drinks, or feeling excited can cause hiccups. Most hiccups go away on their own after a few minutes.

Fun Facts

• You breathe about 20,000 times every day, and your diaphragm moves each time.
• Singers and musicians train their diaphragm to control their breathing.
• Hiccups are caused by the diaphragm moving in a way it is not supposed to.

Did You Know?

The longest case of hiccups ever recorded lasted 68 years!