pressure-volume relationship

The pressure-volume relationship describes how the pressure inside a container, like the lungs during breathing, changes as its volume increases or decreases. When you inhale, your lungs expand, increasing their volume and causing the pressure inside to drop below atmospheric pressure, drawing in air. Conversely, when you exhale, the lungs contract, decreasing volume and increasing internal pressure, pushing air out. This relationship helps explain how pressure differences drive airflow and is fundamental in understanding respiratory and cardiovascular functions. Essentially, changes in volume influence pressure, enabling the movement of gases in and out of the lungs and other biological systems.