Breathing is one of the most important vital signs in the body. A person can breathe thanks to the work of a good respiratory system. To find out how the respiratory system works in humans, see the explanation below.
The respiratory system in humans is a set of organs involved in the process of exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide gases in the blood. A person can be said to have a normal respiratory rate if he can breathe as much as 12-20 times per minute and takes place continuously.
Respiratory System Organs in Humans
Before knowing how the respiratory system works in humans, we must first identify the organs that play a role in this system. The respiratory system in humans is divided into 2, namely the upper and lower respiratory systems. For more details, you can read the explanation below:
Upper respiratory system
Some of the organs in the upper respiratory system include:
- Nasal cavity. This organ has a mucous membrane and fine hairs that serve to trap dust particles or dirt in the air that enters the nose.
- Sinuses are air-filled cavities within the skull. This organ helps regulate the temperature and humidity of the air you breathe.
- This organ has a role in collecting air that enters from the nose or mouth to be forwarded to the trachea
- The larynx is a small space before the trachea that contains the vocal cords.
Lower respiratory system
Some of the organs in the lower respiratory system include:
- This organ is the main airway to the lungs which is located in the throat, just below the larynx.
- The left and right bronchi are branches of the trachea that function to carry air to the lungs. The bronchi have many small branches beneath them. The smallest branches are called bronchioles.
- Lungs. The lungs consist of millions of alveoli that receive air from the bronchioles and serve as a place for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
- The diaphragm is the main respiratory muscle. This organ can alternately contract and relax, allowing air to enter and leave the lungs.
How the Respiratory System Works
The work of the respiratory system in humans involves all the respiratory organs. These organs work together to assist the body in exchanging gases between the lungs (alveoli) and blood vessels, which are then channeled to all parts of the body or exhaled into the air.
The following is how the respiratory system in humans works:
- When you inhale, also known as inspiration or inhalation, your diaphragm and the muscles between your ribs contract and expand your chest cavity, allowing your lungs to expand and fill with air.
- Air enters through the nose and mouth and passes through the process of filtering small particles by nasal hairs, and then into the trachea or windpipe.
- Air from the trachea enters the lungs through a series of branches in the lungs called bronchi and bronchioles, then ends in the alveoli.
- When air reaches the alveolus, there is an exchange process between oxygen and carbon dioxide in tiny blood vessels called capillaries.
- Oxygen enters the capillaries, then rides red blood cells to the heart to be distributed throughout the body. At the same time, carbon dioxide enters from the capillaries into the lung cavities.
- After the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide is complete, the diaphragm and rib muscles relax and the chest cavity returns to normal. Air containing carbon dioxide is pushed from the alveoli to the bronchioles, bronchi, trachea, to the outside through the nose.
In addition to playing a role in the exchange of air and gases, the respiratory system also plays a role in maintaining and balancing conditions in the body to remain stable. In medical terms the ability to balance this condition is called homeostasis.
The respiratory system in humans does seem like a simple thing. But behind each one inhale and exhale, there is cooperation between organs that is quite complicated to get oxygen for the survival of all systems in the body.
If one thing does not work properly, the function of the respiratory system as a whole can also be disrupted. One of the dangerous respiratory disorders is asphyxia. Therefore, the health of the respiratory system must be maintained properly, for example by quitting smoking or avoiding cigarette smoke and diligently exercising.
If you experience symptoms of a disturbance in the respiratory system, such as shortness of breath or cough, especially those that have lasted for a long time, consult your doctor for a safe examination and treatment.