Respiratory
system
The respiratory system is responsible for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide between
the body and the environment. It includes the lungs, airways, and other structures that
work together to bring air into the body and release it back out. The process of breathing
begins with the nose and mouth, which act as entry points for air. From there, air travels
down the throat and through the larynx, or voice box, into the trachea, which splits into
two bronchi. The bronchi divide further into smaller tubes called bronchioles, which lead
to tiny air sacs called alveoli. When air reaches the alveoli, oxygen from the air diffuses
into the blood vessels that surround the alveoli, while carbon dioxide from the blood
diffuses into the alveoli to be exhaled. This exchange of gases is facilitated by the thin
walls of the alveoli and the surrounding blood vessels. The respiratory system also
includes muscles and other structures that help with breathing, such as the diaphragm
and rib cage. When these muscles contract and relax, they create changes in pressure
that cause air to move in and out of the lungs.
system
The respiratory system is responsible for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide between
the body and the environment. It includes the lungs, airways, and other structures that
work together to bring air into the body and release it back out. The process of breathing
begins with the nose and mouth, which act as entry points for air. From there, air travels
down the throat and through the larynx, or voice box, into the trachea, which splits into
two bronchi. The bronchi divide further into smaller tubes called bronchioles, which lead
to tiny air sacs called alveoli. When air reaches the alveoli, oxygen from the air diffuses
into the blood vessels that surround the alveoli, while carbon dioxide from the blood
diffuses into the alveoli to be exhaled. This exchange of gases is facilitated by the thin
walls of the alveoli and the surrounding blood vessels. The respiratory system also
includes muscles and other structures that help with breathing, such as the diaphragm
and rib cage. When these muscles contract and relax, they create changes in pressure
that cause air to move in and out of the lungs.
