Respiratory System
The respiratory system enables inhaling and exhaling. The oxygen derived from the air is necessary for the body’s metabolic processes to function appropriately. Similarly, the carbon dioxide that is produced by the body is exhaled by the respiratory system.
The respiratory system consists of air passages that terminate within the substance of the lungs . Gaseous exchange takes place across the walls of each alveolus, between the air and blood in the lungs. Air passages are scaffolded in some regions by bones and more predominantly by cartilage to support their structure when there are changes in air pressure.
The respiratory system in part also enables the production of speech as well as modifying sounds during speech.
The parts of the respiratory system can be categorized as:
