Sam Meredith Malde Ch. 3

How many breaths does the average person take each day? between 17,000 and 23,000

What are some properties of air? It is a gas and has a natural tendency to maintain equal pressure

What happens when muscles contract? The fibers of the muscle get shorter

 What happens when a muscle stops contracting? the muscle releases

What is elastic recoil? The property that causes a muscle to return to it's original position after contraction

What is dynamic equalibrium? a relationship between two muscles where one muscle must be relaxed in order for the other to contract.

What is muscle antagonism. A relationship between two muscles where the two muscles work at the same time and work against each other.

How do the ribs attach to the spine? via costovertebral joints between ribs, vertebrae

 How do the ribs attach to the sternum? via the costal cartilage

Describe the stereo-costal joints. They are gliding joints which allow for slight up-and-down movement

Describe in further details the size and course of the ribs. Each of the top ten ribs is longer than the rib above it. Each rib slopes down at the sides and the slope becomes steeper with each rib

How does the arm structure connect to the body? The arms are connected directly to the sternum through the clavicle.

 What are the primary muscles of breathing? The diaphragm, the muscles that elevate the ribs, the abdominal muscles, and the muscles of the pelvic floor

Describe the shape, location and attachments of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that forms the boundary between the thoracic and abdominal cavities. The lungs connect to the top of the diaphragm and the viscera is nestled inside the dome-shaped portion of the muscle. There is a strong tendon inside called the central tendon, which is connected to the heart. Tendons anchor the diaphragm to the lumbar

Describe the location and function of the openings you see when looking at the diaphragm from below. There is an elliptical opening in back of the central tendon for the esophagus. There is also a round hole in the central tendon for the vena cava. Behind the diaphragm the aorta passes along with the spine.

What are the multiple effects of the contraction of the diaphragm? Contraction pulls the central tendon downward, pushing the viscera down and pushing the lower ribs up and out. It pulls down on the lungs and massages the heart

What is needed in addition to diaphragmatic contraction for a singing breath? rib movement

Describe the location and function of the external intercostal muscles. They start at the spine and their fibers slope down and away from the upper rib to the rib below. The external intercostals bring the ribs closer together during inhalation 

What happens when people think that the ribs are horizontal? They try to push the ribs out to the side when they breathe

Describe the abdominal muscles (as a group). These muscles enclose the viscera in three strong, flexible layers on the front back and sides. They extend all the way down to the pubic bone and overlap the lower ribs on top.

What must the abdominal muscles do in order for the diaphragm to FULLY contract? they must release in all directions

Why else must the abdominal muscles release? Release of the abdominal muscles also allows the ribs to rise during inhalation

Explain in detail the interaction of the diaphragm and the abdominal muscles for inhalation. The top of the abdominal cavity is defined by the diaphragm. When the diaphragm contracts and moves down, the abdominal muscles, if released will give way and allow space for proper visceral displacement.

Why are tense abs bad for breathing but toned abs good for singing? Tense abs interfere with efficient breathing, whereas toned abs have elasticity that allows them to spring back to their original shape upon exhalation.

When might one activate abs during singing? The abs can also be activated for articulation of accents, aspirate consonants, or staccato notes.

What is forced exhalation? This takes place when we force the air out of our lungs more quickly by contracting the abdomen upon exhale.

Why is forced exhalation usually not useful for singing? It doesn't allow the singer to distribute breath energy evenly throughout a phrase.

Describe the location and shape of pelvic floor and it's function during breathing. The pelvic floor must be released in order for the diaphragm to contract and its elastic recoil contributes to exhalation.

Summarize the activity of the breathing muscles. When we inhale the diaphragm contracts and pushes the viscera down and the lower ribs out. The intercostals and other like muscles elevate the ribs and the abs and pelvic floor release to allow the full excursion of the diaphragm and the ribs.

Describe the location and shape of the lungs. The lungs conform to the shape of the ribs, spin, heart, and diaphragm. They are attached to the ribs and diaphragm via the pleurae 

What is the role of the muscles of the neck for breathing? They have no role that should be cultivate by a singer, because they fulfill their role in breathing automatically.

                 

What is the role of the vocal tract for breathing? To provide sensory information about the air we inhale.

What is the role of the tongue for breathing? It has none

What is the role of the vocal folds for breathing? They must be open so that air can pass through to the trachea upon inhalation

Where are the places of constriction that can cause an audible breath? The lips, nostrils, the front of the tongue, the back of the tongue, the velum, the throat, the glottis

Describe the location, shape, and size of the trachea. The trachea is about 4 to 5 inches long, is about the width of a quarter, and branches out into bronchioles just about the heart.

What is the trachea’s function for breathing? The trachea does not do any work in the breathing process.

Explain the concept of gathering and lengthening of the spine as it relates to breathing. When we inhale the discs between vertebrae compress slightly allowing the ribs to expand more. Upon exhalation they return to their original position.

What are the problems caused by taking in too much air? We will have to blow out dead air before we can inhale to sing the next phrase.

Define and describe the two types of support. Structural support is what happens when we have a posture that allows our body to distribute its weight evenly. Breath support refers to the constant support that comes from the breathing muscles that comes when a singer breaths correctly

IF YOU ________Inhale well___________, YOUR EXHALATION WILL ENJOY CONSTANT SUPPORT FROM THE ABDOMINAL MUSCLES, THE PELVIC FLOOR AND THE COSTAL CARTILAGE

Describe how we regulate exhalation. By regulating the release of the muscles of inhalation

What does the author recommend instead of asking for more support? Ask for the air to just flow more freely

What are the five common breathing errors listed in this chapter? Tanking up, Keeping your ribs out during exhalation, The diaphragm is perpendicular to the floor, the ribs are immovable, pushing out with the abdominals will bring about inhalation

What is the problem with using imagery in teaching breathing? If we give a visualization that isn't accurate then they won't always be able to recreate it.

Name the other muscles that move the ribs. Serratus posterior, levatores costarum 

Name the 4 muscles that form the abdominal wall. External obliques, internal obliques, transverses abdomens, and rectus abdomens.

What is the epigastrium? The upper central region of the abdomen.