What is the structure and function of the human respiratory system?

The Human Respiratory System

The respiratory system is the network of organs and tissues that help you breathe. The primary function of the respiratory system is to supply oxygen to the body and eliminate carbon dioxide. The respiratory system includes the nose, mouth, throat, voice box, windpipe, and lungs.

Structure of the Respiratory System

The nose and mouth are the entry points for air into the respiratory system. They lead to the throat, which contains the voice box, or larynx. The windpipe, or trachea, connects the larynx to the bronchi, which are two tubes that lead to the lungs. Inside the lungs, the bronchi divide into smaller and smaller tubes, eventually ending in tiny air sacs called alveoli.

Function of the Respiratory System

The respiratory system's primary function is to supply oxygen to the body and eliminate carbon dioxide. The process of breathing involves inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide. The oxygen from the air is exchanged for carbon dioxide in the alveoli, where the oxygen is then transported into the bloodstream. The carbon dioxide is transported out of the body through exhalation. The respiratory system also helps to regulate the body's pH balance.