The primary function of the respiratory system is to facilitate breathing and gas exchange. It brings oxygen from the air into the body and removes carbon dioxide, a waste gas, from the bloodstream. This process occurs mainly in the lungs, specifically in tiny air sacs called alveoli, where oxygen diffuses into the blood and carbon dioxide is expelled from the blood to be exhaled. Beyond gas exchange, the respiratory system also:
- Helps regulate the body's acid-base balance by controlling carbon dioxide levels
- Filters, warms, and humidifies the air we breathe to protect delicate lung tissues
- Assists in producing speech through the voice box (larynx)
- Enables the sense of smell
- Provides protection against irritants and infections by trapping dust, pathogens, and particles with mucus and cilia in the airways
Overall, the respiratory system is essential for supplying oxygen to all body cells, removing carbon dioxide, maintaining homeostasis, and supporting other functions like vocalization and smell. It operates through coordinated actions of organs including the lungs, nose, mouth, airways, diaphragm, and various muscles involved in breathing.
