alveolar expansion

Alveolar expansion refers to the process of the tiny air sacs in the lungs (alveoli) opening and stretching to allow air to enter during breathing. When you inhale, muscles around the lungs contract, creating more space and pulling air in. This causes the alveoli to expand, filling with fresh oxygen. During exhalation, the muscles relax, and the alveoli return to their smaller size, pushing out carbon dioxide. This expansion and contraction facilitate efficient gas exchange—oxygen in and carbon dioxide out—vital for your body's functions.