Human Body Resource & Guide

Respiratory System

The main function of the human respiratory system is to absorb oxygen into the lungs. The exchange of oxygen in the system results in the body expelling carbon dioxide and a small amount of oxygen.

The pathway is as follows:


• Air is inhaled through the Nostrils/Mouth
• It flows through the Nasopharynx
• Moves through the Pharynx
• Next going through the Glotis
• Then into the Trachea
• Flowing into the left and right Bronchi
• Passing through Bronchioles
• Finally, exchanged in the Aveoli where the oxygen is exchanged and turned into carbon dioxide

In mammals, the diaphram divides the body into two cavities. The Abdominal Cavity, which hold the stomach and intestines, and the Thoracic Cavity containing the heart and lungs. The anatomical features of the respiratory system are the lungs, respitory muscles and airways. Within this system carbon dioxide and oxygen are exchanged, through a process called diffusion within the aveoli of of the lungs. The gases are passively exchanged from the blood.