Function
The respiratory system is the group of tissues and organs in your body
that enable you to breathe. This system includes your airways, your lungs and
the blood vessels and muscles attached to them that work together so you can
breathe. The respiratory system's primary function is to supply oxygen to all
the parts of your body. It accomplishes this through breathing: inhaling
oxygen-rich air and exhaling air filled with carbon dioxide, which is a waste
gas.
How it works
The primary organs of the respiratory system are lungs, which function to take
in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide as we breathe. Red blood cells collect the oxygen from the lungs
and carry it to the parts of the body where it is needed. During the process,
the red blood cells collect the carbon dioxide and transport it back to the
lungs, where it leaves the body when we exhale.
Diseases
Laryngitis - Swelling and irritation of the
larynx
Bronchitis - An infection in your bronchial
tubes
Tonsillitis - Inflammation of the tonsils
Pneumonia - An infection deep in your lungs
Bronchiectasis - Widening and destruction of the
airways, often caused by recurrent infection or inflammation
Influenza (the flu) - A virus that enters your
body through your nose and mouth and causes fever, headaches, muscle aches and
sore throat
Asthma - A chronic disease in which your airway
walls become sore and swollen, narrowing so that your lungs get less air
Tuberculosis (TB) - A bacterial infection that
attacks the lungs and other parts of the body and can be deadly if not treated
correctly
Lung cancer - One of the most common cancers in
the world, usually caused by cigarette smoke
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) -
Damage of the airways and air sacs from cigarette smoke and other pollutants
that prevents airflow in and out of your lungs
Emphysema - A type of COPD, usually caused by
cigarette smoke, which makes it hard to catch your breath
Pulmonary embolism (PE) - A blood clot that blocks a lung artery because of
surgery or long periods of inactivity
Taking care
Increase Your Walking Speed.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Stay Hydrated.
Avoid smoking.
Fun Facts
One lung is slightly larger than the other.
Hairs in the nose clean our air as well as warming it.
The highest recorded "sneeze speed" is 165 km per hour.
The respiratory system is the group of tissues and organs in your body
that enable you to breathe. This system includes your airways, your lungs and
the blood vessels and muscles attached to them that work together so you can
breathe. The respiratory system's primary function is to supply oxygen to all
the parts of your body. It accomplishes this through breathing: inhaling
oxygen-rich air and exhaling air filled with carbon dioxide, which is a waste
gas.
How it works
The primary organs of the respiratory system are lungs, which function to take
in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide as we breathe. Red blood cells collect the oxygen from the lungs
and carry it to the parts of the body where it is needed. During the process,
the red blood cells collect the carbon dioxide and transport it back to the
lungs, where it leaves the body when we exhale.
Diseases
Laryngitis - Swelling and irritation of the
larynx
Bronchitis - An infection in your bronchial
tubes
Tonsillitis - Inflammation of the tonsils
Pneumonia - An infection deep in your lungs
Bronchiectasis - Widening and destruction of the
airways, often caused by recurrent infection or inflammation
Influenza (the flu) - A virus that enters your
body through your nose and mouth and causes fever, headaches, muscle aches and
sore throat
Asthma - A chronic disease in which your airway
walls become sore and swollen, narrowing so that your lungs get less air
Tuberculosis (TB) - A bacterial infection that
attacks the lungs and other parts of the body and can be deadly if not treated
correctly
Lung cancer - One of the most common cancers in
the world, usually caused by cigarette smoke
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) -
Damage of the airways and air sacs from cigarette smoke and other pollutants
that prevents airflow in and out of your lungs
Emphysema - A type of COPD, usually caused by
cigarette smoke, which makes it hard to catch your breath
Pulmonary embolism (PE) - A blood clot that blocks a lung artery because of
surgery or long periods of inactivity
Taking care
Increase Your Walking Speed.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Stay Hydrated.
Avoid smoking.
Fun Facts
One lung is slightly larger than the other.
Hairs in the nose clean our air as well as warming it.
The highest recorded "sneeze speed" is 165 km per hour.