True or False: The rib cage lifts in an upward motion during inhalation to expand the lungs.

The statement is true because during inhalation, the muscles between the ribs, known as the intercostal muscles, contract, leading to an upward and outward movement of the rib cage. This motion increases the thoracic cavity's volume, allowing the lungs to expand as air is drawn in. The diaphragm also plays a crucial role in this process; it contracts and moves downward, further enhancing the expansion of the thoracic cavity. The combination of these movements creates a negative pressure within the lungs, facilitating the flow of air into the respiratory system. This physiological process is essential for efficient gas exchange, providing oxygen to the body and expelling carbon dioxide.