Hengityselimiin

Hengityselimiin refers to the respiratory system in Finnish. It is the organ system that facilitates gas exchange between the body and the environment. This vital process involves the intake of oxygen, which is essential for cellular respiration and energy production, and the expulsion of carbon dioxide, a waste product of metabolism.

The primary components of the human respiratory system include the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs. Air enters the body through the nasal cavity or mouth, where it is filtered, warmed, and humidified. From there, it passes through the pharynx and larynx, the latter containing the vocal cords. The trachea, or windpipe, conducts air to the lungs. Within the lungs, the trachea branches into progressively smaller tubes called bronchi, which further divide into bronchioles. At the end of the bronchioles are tiny air sacs called alveoli.

It is within the alveoli that the crucial gas exchange takes place. The thin walls of the alveoli are surrounded by a network of capillaries, small blood vessels. Oxygen from the inhaled air diffuses across the alveolar and capillary membranes into the bloodstream, where it binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells and is transported to the body's tissues. Simultaneously, carbon dioxide, transported from the tissues by the blood, diffuses from the capillaries into the alveoli to be exhaled. The movement of air into and out of the lungs is driven by the action of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, a process known as breathing or ventilation. The respiratory system plays a critical role in maintaining homeostasis and supporting all bodily functions.