Take a deep breath in……and out. Did you feel your lungs fill with air? Whether you choose to think about it or not, your lungs are constantly working to provide oxygen to your body. Oxygen is fundamental to our way of life and without it you wouldn’t be able to do anything, like exercise, because you would have nothing to aid in energy production. Because of this, the respiratory system is vital in taking in oxygen so that your body can shuttle it around to cells so they can use it to provide the energy we need to live.
Parts of the Respiratory System
- Nasal Cavity: air-filled space above and behind the nose
- Nose: opening for incoming or outgoing air
- Mouth: opening for incoming or outgoing air
- Throat: also called pharynx; delivers air from nose and mouth to the trachea
- Epiglottis: small flap that closes when you swallow to prevent food or liquid from going down the trachea
- Esophagus: tube that connects the throat and stomach for food digestion
- Larynx: also called the voice box; hollow organ responsible for creating sound (talking)
- Trachea: connecting passage for throat and lungs
- Lungs: main respiratory organs; brings in oxygen for the body and removes carbon dioxide
- Rib Cage: protects heart and lungs
- Diaphragm: muscle that helps fill and empty lungs
- Pleural Membranes: thin tissue that separates the lungs from the chest cavity
- Bronchi: branches that spread from the trachea into the lungs
- Bronchiole: small branches from the bronchi that lead to alveoli
- Alveoli: very small air sac for exchanging carbon dioxide and oxygen
- Capillary Network: veins and arteries that surround the alveoli for gas exchange
Gas Exchange
Ever wondered how you breathe in oxygen but breathe out carbon dioxide? It all comes down to the tiny air sacs in the lungs called alveoli and red blood cells (RBC). Alveoli are the centers for gas exchange in the respiratory system, keeping a continual supply of oxygen for cells and tissues. Without a constant supply of oxygen during exercise your muscles would be unable to perform. However, none of this would be possible with RBC. They are the cells that carry oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body to allow for gas exchange. Here are the steps your body takes to exchange gases in the lungs:
- The diaphragm contracts to pull on the lungs, causing them to fill with air from the negative pressure.
- Lungs and alveoli fill with oxygen.
- Carbon dioxide in the capillaries diffuses to the alveoli from RBC to be expelled (breathed out) and oxygen diffuses to recently available RBC to be taken to the heart for distribution in the body.
- Following gas exchange at the alveoli, carbon dioxide is expelled from the lungs and the diaphragm relaxes.
Want to know more about your body? Check out this article!
