Respiration consists of two phases:
- Inspiration and
- Expiration - which are accomplished by the alternate increase and decrease of the capacity of the thoracic cavity. The rate varies between 16 and 20 per minute in normal resting patients and is faster in children and slower in the elderly.
Types of Respiration:
- Abdominal type of respiration - In babies and young children.
- Thoracic type of respiration - In the adult.