Hengitystämme

Hengitystämme refers to the act of breathing, a fundamental biological process essential for life. It involves the exchange of gases, primarily oxygen and carbon dioxide, between an organism and its environment. In humans and many other animals, this process is facilitated by a specialized respiratory system.

The respiratory system typically includes organs such as the lungs, airways (like the trachea and bronchi), and muscles involved in breathing, such as the diaphragm and intercostal muscles. Inhalation, or breathing in, draws oxygen-rich air into the lungs. This oxygen is then transferred from the tiny air sacs in the lungs, called alveoli, into the bloodstream. Simultaneously, carbon dioxide, a waste product of metabolism, is released from the blood into the alveoli to be exhaled.

Exhalation, or breathing out, expels the carbon dioxide-laden air from the lungs. This continuous cycle of inhalation and exhalation maintains the necessary levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body, supporting cellular respiration and overall metabolic function. The rate and depth of breathing can vary depending on factors such as physical activity, emotional state, and environmental conditions. Involuntary control mechanisms, primarily in the brainstem, regulate breathing to ensure it meets the body's ongoing demands.