Respiratory system is the biological system of our body that collectively works with several organs and tissues to help us breathe. It includes several major body organs like lungs, airways, and blood vessels. The lung is the primary organ of the respiratory system, which helps supply necessary oxygen throughout the body.
Since the respiratory system is particularly involved in our breathing system, you may wonder How the Respiratory System Works. The respiratory system takes the necessary oxygen from the air and supplies it into your body through capillaries. Apart from taking the oxygen, the respiratory system also eliminates carbon dioxide and unwanted gases through exhaling. In short, the respiratory system means the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
How Respiratory System Works?
Our body cells require oxygen to work, and the respiratory system aids in supplying the required oxygen. The respiratory system takes the oxygen from the air and helps get rid of waste products generated by our body cells. Our body expels the unwanted products through exhaling. This inhales and exhales process work through a combination of several organs of our body. The organs or body parts are-
Nose and Nasal Cavity
Nose is the visible body part of the respiratory system, and the nasal cavity is inside our nose. Nasal cavity has hairs and mucus lines on its inside wall, and they work as an air cleaner. It helps to filter the air we inhale by blocking harmful components before reaching the lungs.
Sinuses
The sinuses are the four pairs of cavities in your head, also known as the hollow space above and below our eyes. They are linked to the nose by narrow and small channels. Sinuses primarily help to manage the temperature and humidity of our breathing in air.
Pharynx
The pharynx, also known as the throat, helps deliver the inhaled air from nose or mouth to windpipe or trachea. It has three parts, including nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx. Since pharynx helps the inhaled air to pass from nasal cavity to larynx, lungs, and trachea, it is a key function of the respiratory system.
Larynx
The larynx works in two different ways for the respiratory system. It works as an air canal to the lungs, and it prevents drink and food from blocking the airways. The larynx links the pharynx with the trachea and is held out collectively by fibrous, membranes, and ligaments tissue.
Lungs
Lungs are the core organs of the respiratory system and help to let our body function normally. This organ supplies oxygen to the whole system and removes unwanted components like carbon dioxide from the body. Lungs grape-like sacs alveoli aid the exchange of oxygen and unwanted carbon dioxide.
Trachea
Trachea is a hollow tube that links the larynx to the lungs’ airway or bronchi. It helps to process the airflow from the lungs to across the body. During breathing in and out, fibroelastic membrane expands and compresses.
Diaphragm
Diaphragm is among the core muscles of the lungs, and it is located below the lungs. It is dome-shaped muscles that contract rhythmically and continuously. Diaphragm also separates the chest from the abdomen, and it maintains the contraction and relaxation of intercostal muscles and, most importantly diaphragms.
Respiratory System Working Process
The total respiratory system is based on two phases which are breathing in and out.
Inhale – When anyone inhales, the diaphragm moves downward in the direction of the abdomen. The chest’s left side space lets the lungs expand, and the rib muscles will pull the rib cage upward and outward. This whole process will pull the free and fresh oxygen from the air through the nose or mouth into the lungs.
Exhale – The diaphragm goes up when you exhale, and it will aid to relax the chest wall muscles. The whole process makes the chest cavity smaller and pushes the inhaled air out through the nose or mouth.
Working Process – When we inhale, the air goes through the pharynx and gets into the trachea. After that, the air goes into the bronchioles and then the alveoli from the trachea.
Exchange Process – Once the air enters the alveolar sac, then the gas exchanging process occurs. Here the capillaries release the waste carbon dioxide and collect oxygen. Once capillaries give up the carbon dioxide, then we also release it through exhaling.
This is the complete working process of the respiratory system. Its magical inhaling and exhaling process makes it one of the vital organs of our body.
How to Keep the Respiratory System Healthy?
Since the respiratory system keeps us alive, it’s essential to prioritize its health. Poor respiratory conditions can lead to several issues, and shortness of breath is one of them. So how to keep the respiratory system’s health healthy? To find some reliable solution, simply follow the below section.
- Quit smoking because smoking promotes respiratory-related diseases.
- Avoid pollutants like smoke, chemicals, and dust because they can cause damage to your airway walls and lungs.
- Always wash your hands before starting anything; it will help to prevent infections.
- If you are already suffering from respiratory issues, try to use a good quality OPEP device to reduce the symptoms.
- Eat healthy food and strictly maintain your diet. Also, include several rich fruits and vegetables in your meal.
- Daily basis exercise will help your body fit and the lungs healthy.
What does the Respiratory System do for our Body?
Alongside breathing in and out, the respiratory system does many more things. It has many functions, and we’ll explain what they are, have a look-
- First, the respiratory system supplies oxygen to our body cells.
- It helps to remove several waste gases from your body through exhaling.
- The respiratory system maintains the body temperature and the humidity level as well.
- Protect your lungs, airways by removing the unwanted elements from there.
- Respiratory system keeps us alive and allows us to talk, smell, and do daily activities.
What are the Conditions of the Respiratory System?
Many conditions can impact the respiratory system. So what prompts the conditions or illness on the respiratory system? We’ve included some of the core reasons, have a look-
- Allergies – Multiple types of allergies can significantly affect your respiratory tract.
- Laryngitis – When your larynx or vocal cords get inflamed because of irritation, overuse, or infection, you’ll have respiratory issues.
- Asthma – Asthma or a long-term chronic disorder can produce too much mucus and make breathing difficult.
- Bronchitis – Bronchitis means inflammation in the bronchial tubes, and it will create heavy mucus.
- Infection – Infection can lead to several conditions, including pneumonia or bronchitis.
- Sinusitis – Sinusitis means swollen or inflamed membranes in the sinuses and nasal cavity.
- COPD – COPD is another lung condition that will promote more breathing difficulties. It also included emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and many.
- Aging – Unfortunately, everyone’s lung capacity decreases with age.
- Lung Cancer – Lung cancer will create plenty of difficulties in your lung, and wheezing, shortness of breath are among them.
Final Thought
We hope now you properly understand How respiratory system works and what its function is. It is the basic and main function of our body that keeps us alive by processing the breathing system. Respiratory system allows us to inhale fresh oxygen from the air and exhale the unwanted carbon dioxide from our body.
Since the respiratory system is directly related to our breathing system, it’s always essential to keep the system strong and healthy. Alongside showing how the respiratory system works, and its function, we’ve also shown how to take care of your respiratory system. Try to keep your respiratory system healthy, otherwise, you may have to face conscience and several respiratory diseases as well.
