Respiration consists of (1) pulmonary ventilation, (2) pulmonary gas exchange, (3) gas transport, and (4) tissue gas exchange. How do each contribute to respiration: pressure driven air movements, ventilation-perfusion couplings and the oxyhemoglobin-dissociation curve?

When we breathe, two processes stand out:

To absorb oxygen from the environment through the nose, the diaphragm (muscle under the lungs) and the muscles between the ribs contract.

This causes the chest cavity to lengthen and flatten, pushing the ribs up and out, allowing air to enter the lungs.

In this case the CO2 that is in our body is thrown into the environment. Here the diaphragm rises and pushes the lungs, causing them to expel the air.

After this process, the diaphragm and ribs relax and return to their initial position. Finished this, the inspiration is realized again.

Some variations

The number of inspirations and expirations that a human being performs per minute varies according to his lifestyle (exercises, diet, etc.) and age.

The normal respiratory rate of a child is between 20 and 30 breaths per minute, while in an adult between 15 and 20.

In the breathing process, air enters through the nose, passes through the pharynx, larynx and trachea, until it reaches the lungs.

For the air to come out, perform the same procedure, but vice versa.

Keep your respiratory system healthy with exercises. Also avoid exposing yourself too much to cigarette smoke and to which vehicles are ejected.