Respiratory System Magazine Respiratory System Magazine | Page 6

The process of how the system works is the next:

The air enters through the nose or mouth; when it's from the nose, the air starts to spread out in an organ named conchae, which helps to humidify the air and to trap some inhaled particles, they also warm the air. The air then passes through the pharynx and after to the trachea. Then it follows to the bronchi. From there it passes into the smaller bronchiole, and then it enters to the alveoli, which is surrounded by a network of capillaries. And here folks, is were the

magic happens. Inside the alveoli, oxygen enters the alveoli sacks, and the gas exchange occurs. Cappilaries give up the waste of carbon dioxide, and they pick oxygen. Carbon dioxide is exhaled through the air passage; the oxygen was inhaled through, and the oxygen picked up by the blood was returned to the heart. During this process there is an organ that seems to be useless, but the diaphragm is the one in charge to contract as we breathe in, which allows our lungs to expand, and to relax while we exhale.

This entire process happens in just a few milliseconds, cause if this process takes longer, then our cells and body can't get the enough oxygen. But a interesting fact is that oxygen just takes a little importance in the process; it's more important for our body to take out the carbon dioxide than to absorb the oxygen, but of course its essential for our body, so they could have oxygen for their functionality to be better.

Process in which the system works

by Dr. Juan Hernandez

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