Question

Why in women ribs play major role in respiration whereas in men diaphragm plays a major role. What is the difference?

Answer 1

Okay lemme first tell you, that I didn't know about this before I saw your question. So I just googled, and researched various articles, and got an understanding which I will share with you.


Female ribs are small radially than a male of the same height, weight and age. Why? I think it's evolution. Over the years, female ribs have evolved so that they have a mechanical advantage in chest expansion. Their rib cage is designed in such a way so that it helps them during pregnancy. Now during pregnancy, it would have been difficult for them to breathe properly with the help of diaphragm, because it won't get any place to expand, as the baby would cover most of the space. So, they have evolved themselves to breath through the help of expanding ribs( I maybe wrong here, I will edit the answer if I find out that I am wrong here, or anywhere in the whole answer).

Now that we know, that a male doesn't needs to do that, because obviously it's the female who gets pregnant. So maybe that's the reason, that diaphragm play a major in role in male respiration, and in females , ribs have an important role.


Hope this helps!