Your respiratory system is made up of your lungs, airways, pharynx, larynx, nose and mouth. Its main function is to breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide.
The respiratory system (also respiratory apparatus, ventilatory system) is a biological system consisting of specific organs and structures used for gas exchange in animals and plants.
Human respiratory system, the system in humans that takes up oxygen and expels carbon dioxide. The major organs of the respiratory system include the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs, and diaphragm. Learn about the anatomy and function of the respiratory system in this article.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome Asthma Bronchitis COPD Hypersensitivity pneumonitis Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis Pleural disorders Pneumonia Primary ciliary dyskinesia Sarcoidosis Sleep apnea Exposure to cigarette smoke, air pollutants, or other substances can damage the airways, and can make a condition you already have more serious.
The respiratory system, also called the pulmonary system, consists of several organs that function as a whole to oxygenate the body through the process of respiration (breathing).
Functionally, the respiratory system can be divided into a conducting zone and a respiratory zone. The conducting zone of the respiratory system includes the organs and structures not directly involved in gas exchange. The gas exchange occurs in the respiratory zone.
The structures of the upper respiratory system, or respiratory tract, allow us to breathe and speak. The nose and nasal cavities provide airways for respiration.
Respiratory distress, or difficulty breathing, is evidenced by signs and symptoms such as shortness of breath, gasping for breath, hyperventilation (breathing that is faster and shallower than normal), or breathing that is uncomfortable or painful. Respiratory distress can lead to respiratory arrest (absence of breathing).