True or False: When the diaphragm rises, thoracic pressure increases and air naturally flows out of the lungs.

The statement is true because when the diaphragm rises, it moves back up into a dome-shaped position as the muscle relaxes. This decrease in the volume of the thoracic cavity leads to an increase in thoracic pressure. According to the principles of gas law, when the pressure inside the thoracic cavity increases relative to the atmospheric pressure outside, air is pushed out of the lungs. This process is known as expiration or exhalation. It is a key aspect of the respiratory cycle, where the diaphragm's movement directly affects lung volume and pressure to facilitate breathing.