Öndunarlífeðlisfræði

Öndunarlífeðlisfræði is the Icelandic term for respiratory physiology. This scientific discipline focuses on the study of the functions of the respiratory system in living organisms. It examines how gases, primarily oxygen and carbon dioxide, are exchanged between the body and its environment. This process is fundamental for cellular respiration, which provides energy for all bodily functions.

Key areas within öndunarlífeðlisfræði include the mechanics of breathing, which involves the coordinated actions of the diaphragm, intercostal muscles, and other muscles to move air into and out of the lungs. It also investigates gas transport, detailing how oxygen binds to hemoglobin in the blood and is delivered to tissues, and how carbon dioxide, a waste product, is transported back to the lungs for exhalation.

Furthermore, öndunarlífeðlisfræði explores the regulation of breathing, both voluntary and involuntary. The nervous system plays a crucial role in controlling the rate and depth of respiration in response to the body's needs, such as during exercise or changes in blood gas levels. Understanding these mechanisms is vital for diagnosing and treating a wide range of respiratory diseases and conditions. The study encompasses both normal physiological processes and the deviations that occur in pathological states.