Lung breathing

Let’s see what pulmonary respiration is about , how it works, its anatomy, its functioning, which organs of the body are involved, and all the phases necessary for our body to continue living.

What is lung respiration?

The breathing lung is the process by which performs gas exchange within the lungs. The human body receives oxygen and releases carbon dioxide . The entire breathing cycle occurs unconsciously through chemical or hormonal signals that the central nervous system sends to the breathing center depending on the person’s oxygen needs.

What does it consist of?

Although the respiratory system includes all the parts of the body necessary to carry respiration, it is the respiratory center (CR) , located in an area called the brainstem in the brain, it is the part that controls the involuntary action of pulmonary respiration.

Every day the human being breathes up to 20 times per minute and for this to be possible many parts of the anatomy of the respiratory system are necessary. To understand in a deeper way the whole process of pulmonary respiration, we invite you to read this Health article carefully.

Anatomy of lung respiration

The respiratory system is made up of the nose, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, and a pair of lungs. All these parts are necessary for the breathing of the lungs to take place and each one performs vital functions that we will know below.

Nose and larynx

They are part of the upper respiratory tract and have the task of filtering the air that enters the human body and transporting it to the windpipe.

Trachea

This part has two channels called bronchi, which branch out to each lung. When the trachea receives oxygen from the larynx, it reacts by expelling any airborne dust into the pharynx.

Bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli

The bronchi in turn divide into thin branches called bronchioles, and each of the bronchioles ends in dozens of small sacs called pulmonary alveoli. Air from the trachea travels through the bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli.

It is precisely in the pulmonary alveoli where gas exchange occurs just at the point where the alveoli come into contact with the blood vessels. From this moment on, the blood is responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the human body.

Characteristics and Anatomy of the lungs

The blood carries carbon dioxide to the lungs and these organs return it to the alveoli. From here, this gas exerts the oxygen path in reverse. That is, from the alveoli it will pass to the bronchioles, bronchi, trachea and larynx to be expelled through the mouth within its lung anatomy .

Phases of lung respiration

When we hear about pulmonary respiration, we immediately think that it is the entry and exit of air from the lungs. However, this almost automatic process that we do at all times is exercised through different phases.

First phase

The initial phase of pulmonary respiration is inhalation and for this to take place it is necessary for the diaphragm to generate a stimulus that expands the thoracic cavity, allowing the lungs to widen and thus be able to receive the air that has been inspired by the mouth.

Second level

The inhaled air travels to the trachea where it will be distributed to the different bronchial channels until it reaches the pulmonary alveoli. At this point, oxygen crosses the blood vessels where hemoglobin and red blood cells will transport it to the most recondite cells of the body.

Third phase

At the same time that the blood is carrying oxygen, it is carrying carbon dioxide to the lung through the blood vessels. Carbon dioxide is removed from the body through exhalation.

Fourth phase

As you exhale, the diaphragm relaxes the stimulus and the chest cavity returns to its normal size. The body makes no effort to exhale and the carbon dioxide air is expelled through the mouth. Once exhaled, the pulmonary breathing cycle begins again.

Respiratory problems?

Examining lung respiration is very important in diagnosing respiratory problems , especially in smokers. Through spirometry, a doctor can learn how well the lungs and other parts of the respiratory system are working.

This test is done by taking deep, steady breaths through equipment called a spirometer.

At the end of the examination, the team produces a diagnosis of respiration in which it is possible to know how well the body is discarding carbon dioxide and if the functioning of the entire respiratory system is adequate according to the age of the patient.

Curiosities about respiration and the respiratory system

• Throughout the entire respiratory tract there are microscopic hairs called cilia and they have the task of keeping the area always clean of pathogens. However, tobacco smoke can affect the function of these hairs and cause conditions such as bronchitis.
• The cells of the trachea and bronchi produce mucus that is responsible for keeping the respiratory tract lubricated to prevent the passage of dust, bacteria and other microbes to the lungs.
• The cough is not a symptom of disease , is an impulse that generates body to expel bacteria and pathogens through phlegm.
• Sneezing has the same function as coughing, but in the upper respiratory tract.