The Respiratory System The Respiratory System We breathe

The Respiratory System

The Respiratory System We breathe air all day long, even when we are asleep. We do this, because our body needs oxygen to work properly. We breathe air, which contains oxygen, in through our mouth and nose, this is called inhaling. We then breathe out, this is called exhaling. But how does the oxygen get into our blood?

The Respiratory System Trachea When we inhale: Our 'diaphragm', which is a large muscle underneath our lungs, gets flatter and pulls the lungs down. Our ribcage expands and muscles pull the lungs outwards. Diaphragm When this happens, our lungs get bigger. Air is pulled through our mouth and nose, through our 'trachea', or windpipe and into our lungs.

The Respiratory System When we exhale: Trachea Our 'diaphragm‘ gets bigger and pushes the lungs up. Our ribcage contracts and pushes the lungs inwards. Diaphragm When this happens, our lungs get smaller. Air is pushed out of our lungs, through our trachea and out through our mouth and nose.

The Respiratory System From the trachea, the air goes into large tubes called 'Bronchi' There is one in each lung.

The Respiratory System Then into smaller tubes called 'Bronchioles' which are about the same thickness as a hair!

The Respiratory System Then into tiny air sacks called 'Alveoli' which look a bit like broccoli. There around 600 million alveoli in your lungs!

The Respiratory System Inside these alveoli, are very small blood vessels called capilliaries oxygen goes into these and is carried away to our organs.

The Respiratory System Our organs use the oxygen up and produce carbon dioxide, which must be removed from our body.

The Respiratory System The alveoli releases the carbon dioxide to the bronchioles.

The Respiratory System Which release it to our bronchi.

The Respiratory System When we breathe out, the carbon dioxide disappears into the air.

The End When we laugh, burp or hiccup, these sounds are all caused by the respiratory system!