Breathing is an essential aspect of our existence, yet it is often taken for granted. However, beyond the basic act of inhaling and exhaling, the human body is capable of performing a range of fascinating and unusual breathing reflexes. From the protective cough...
Air is made up of a complex “recipe” of other elements, which leads to the question: Is air a compound or a mixture? Air is a homogeneous combination of several gases; therefore, it is a mixture, not a compound. This mixture of gas is made up of nitrogen, oxygen,...
Dead space ventilation is defined as the volume of ventilated air that does not participate in gas exchange. It’s often referred to as “wasted ventilation,” as the inhaled air is not involved in the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. In other...
The cardiovascular system is made up of the heart, blood, and blood vessels. Its primary responsibility is to transport oxygenated blood and nutrients to the other organs and tissues within the body. It also transports deoxygenated blood back to the lungs to pick up...
Cardiopulmonary anatomy and physiology is a study of the heart and lungs and their respective functions within the body. The heart is responsible for pumping blood through the circulatory system, while the lungs take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide. This topic is...
Alveoli are tiny air sacs arranged in clusters in the lungs where the gas exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide molecules takes place. This article will explore what is transferred by alveoli and their role within the lungs. Practice Question Which of the following is...
The respiratory system refers to the lungs and structures within the body that are involved in the process of breathing. This guide provides a brief overview of the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system, including the structures that help make breathing...
The factors responsible for holding the lungs to the thorax wall are surface tension from pleural fluid and negative pressure in the pleural cavity. This article will provide an overview of how the lungs and thorax wall are held together, as well as the role of...
Under what internal conditions does air tend to flow into the lungs? The simple answer is that air flows into the lungs because of a pressure gradient. But what creates this pressure gradient? In this article, we’ll explore the different internal conditions that...
During respiration, our lungs work to help the body take in oxygen while removing carbon dioxide. This process is known as gas exchange. For it to function properly, the amount of ventilation must match the amount of perfusion in the alveoli of the lungs. In other...
