Caitlin Craig Malde Ch. 3

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

What are some properties of air? It is a gas, and its natural tendency is to maintain equal pressure. It flows from areas of high pressure to low pressure. 

What happens when muscles contract? They are engaged, the fibers become shorter. Muscles work in opposition: as one muscle contracts another releases (i.e. triceps and biceps).

 What happens when a muscle stops contracting? They release to their resting state once their work is done.

What is elastic recoil? The ability for muscles to return to their previous state of rest after being stretched.

What is dynamic equalibrium? The act of muscles working in opposition: in order for a muscle to contract properly, another muscle must release (i.e. triceps and biceps).

What is muscle antagonism. When two muscles are contracting at the same time while working against eachother, a.k.a co-contraction.

How do the ribs attach to the spine? With costovertebral joints that are stabilized by ligaments. 

 How do the ribs attach to the sternum? They connect to the costal cartilage, which turns into the sternum.

Describe the stereo-costal joints. The gliding joints, that allow up/down movement.

Describe in further details the size and course of the ribs. Each rib is larger than the one above it. They slope down at the sides, the slop getting steeper with each rib. 

How does the arm structure connect to the body? It connects directly to the sternum with a joint connected to the clavicle. The arm doesn't connect to the structure of the ribs or spine.

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

Describe the shape, location and attachments of the diaphragm. It is a dome-shaped muscle that arches up inside the ribs. It divides the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity. 

Describe the location and function of the openings you see when looking at the diaphragm from below. On the left round hole in the central tendon is the passage of the vena cava, which carries deoxygenated blood to the heart. The elliptical shaped one of the right is the opening of the esophagus for the traveling of food.

What are the multiple effects of the contraction of the diaphragm? It pulls the central tendon downwards. It exerts downward pressure on the viscera, while 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. Good balance of the thorax over the lumbar spine. 

Describe the location and function of the external intercostal muscles. They are the outermost layer. They begin at the spine and their fibers slope down and away from the upper rib to the rib below. They extend around to the front almost to the costal cartilage. The function of the muscle is in dispute. They  might bring the ribs closer together during inhalation. 

What happens when people think that the ribs are horizontal? They try to expand them by pushing them out horizontally at the sides, and map the movement of the ribs incorrectly. 

Describe the abdominal muscles (as a group). The four abdominal muscles enclose the viscera with three thin, flexible, and strong layers on the front, back, and sides. 

What must the abdominal muscles do in order for the diaphragm to FULLY contract? They must release in all directions. They must remain passive during inhalation. 

Why else must the abdominal muscles release? For visceral displacement. 

Explain in detail the interaction of the diaphragm and the abdominal muscles for inhalation. As the diaphragm contracts, it pushes the viscera against the released abdominal muscles, which stretch to make room. 

Why are tense abs bad for breathing but toned abs good for singing? Tense abs interfere with released and effective breathing, toned abs have better ability and elasticity to spring back to their original shape after being stretched. They can also aid articulate accents, aspirate consonants, or staccato notes. 

When might one activate abs during singing? During breath

What is forced exhalation? After one has exhaled most of the air out of their lungs, forced exhalation is the forced expelled air by the contraction of the abdominal muscles, and the muscles that depress the ribs. 

Why is forced exhalation usually not useful for singing? Because this action requires extra effort and recovery time for the muscles. 

Describe the location and shape of pelvic floor and it's function during breathing. The pelvic floor is located at the bottom of the abdominal cavity. The muscles that form the pelvic floor connect to the lower inside edges of the pelvis. They form a shallow bowl shape, roughly imitating the diaphragm. The pelvic floor also releases during inhalation. Its elastic recoil contributes to exhalation.  

Summarize the activity of the breathing muscles. As inhalation occurs, the diaphragm contracts downward pushing the vicera out on the lower ribs. The muscles that elevate the ribs contract in the meantime raising the ribs at the sides and bring them closer together. The abdominal muscles and pelvic floor both release to allow the full contraction of the diaphragm, and opening of the ribs. This actions expand the thoracic cavity, creating a vacuum in the lungs and drawing in the breath. 
As we exhale, the abdominals contract pushing the viscera back up into the dome of the diaphragm and pull down on the ribs. The muscles that depress the ribs contract and pull them down and in. 

Describe the location and shape of the lungs. They conform to the shape of the ribs, spine, heart, and diaphragm. They are attached to the ribs and diaphragm by the pleural sac. They extend up to slightly above the collarbone. And extend down to the 7th rib in front, and the 10th in back. They are wider at the bottom than at the top. they surround the sides of the thoracic spine. 

What is the role of the muscles of the neck for breathing? The scalenes and the sternocleidomastoids. 

               

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

What is the role of the tongue for breathing? It has no role, other to be out of the way.

What is the role of the vocal folds for breathing? They must be open during inhalation. 

Where are the places of constriction that can cause an audible breath? Constriction in the vocal tract: lips, nostrils, the front of the tongue, the back of the tongue, the velum, throat, or the glottis. 

Describe the location, shape, and size of the trachea. It is 4-5 inches long, about the width of a quarter and branches out into the bronchial tubes just above the heart. It is in front of the esophagus. 

What is the trachea’s function for breathing? It does nothing in the process of breathing. 

Explain the concept of gathering and lengthening of the spine as it relates to breathing. Gathering occurs in the spine during inhalation. In the cervical region, the slight compression of the spine is due to the action of the scalenes. When we inhale, the muscles contract slightly raising the ribs and bringing the vertebrae closer together. In result the thoracic vertebrae, which are connected to the ribs, move closer together. As the diaphragm contracts it slightly compresses the lumbar spine.
As we exhale, the spingy discs of cartilage spring back to their full height through elastic recoil. 

What are the problems caused by taking in too much air? We will have to blow out dead air at the end of the phrase before we can inhale for the next phrase. It wastes valuable breath.

Define and describe the two types of support. Structural support is the way our structures and skeletons support/balance the weight of our body. Proper alignment of the spine, and mapping of joints, will help us to rely on our skeleton holding us up, rather than cause tension by engaging muscles to do the same task. 
Breath support is how the movement of breath facilitates the sound. Allowing proper muscles to contract/release to aid efficient breathing. 

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. We must shape the exhalation to our artistic needs by regulating the release of the muscles of inhalation. 

What does the author recommend instead of asking for more support? Ask yourself to allow the breath to flow more freely.

What are the five common breathing errors listed in this chapter?
1. Tanking up-taking in more breath than needed for a phrase.
2. Keeping your ribs out during exhalation- the ribs must go back to their resting place after every phrase, or else you will hyperventilate. 
3. The diaphragm is perpendicular to the floor
4. The ribs are immovable- the ribs are being manipulated to remain in place.
5. Pushing out with the abdominals will bring about inhalation. 

What is the problem with using imagery in teaching breathing? They work for some, but may confuse another. 

Describe the connection of the ribs to the spine. Movement in ribs in breathing causes movement in thoracic spine

Name the other muscles that move the ribs. The intercostals, levatores costarum, serratus posterior superior, the pectoralis muscles, serratus anterior, and the scalenes. 

Name the 4 muscles that form the abdominal wall. External obliques, internal obliques, transversus abdominis, and the rectus abdominis. 

What is the epigastrium? A zone of activity during breathing where the rectus abdominus and the diaphragm create an outward bulging of the abdominal wall. This is also the spot where the Heimlich Maneuver is done.