How do frogs inflate their lungs?

Frogs inflate their lungs primarily by filling their mouths with air. This process is part of a unique respiratory system they possess. Frogs use a technique called 'buccal pumping,' where they first take air into their mouths and then close their mouths and nostrils. By compressing the floor of their mouth, they push the air from their mouth into their lungs, allowing them to breathe.

This method is particularly effective because it helps frogs to adapt to their semi-aquatic lifestyle, enabling them to breathe both in water and on land. Their lungs are not the sole method of respiration, as they also absorb oxygen through their skin, but for lung inflation, the oral cavity is key. Understanding this mechanism is crucial in recognizing the physiological adaptations of amphibians like frogs to their environments.