hengityselin

Hengityselin refers to the respiratory system in Finnish. It is the biological system responsible for the process of breathing, which allows organisms to take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide. This vital process is essential for cellular respiration, the metabolic pathway that generates energy for the body's functions.

The primary components of the respiratory system include the lungs, airways, and the muscles that facilitate breathing. In humans and other mammals, air enters the body through the nose or mouth, travels down the pharynx, larynx, and trachea (windpipe), and then branches into two bronchi, which lead into the lungs. Within the lungs, the bronchi further subdivide into smaller bronchioles, culminating in tiny air sacs called alveoli. It is at the alveoli that the exchange of gases takes place, with oxygen diffusing into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide diffusing out.

Breathing is a largely involuntary process controlled by the respiratory center in the brainstem, which responds to the levels of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the blood. Muscles such as the diaphragm and intercostal muscles contract and relax to change the volume of the thoracic cavity, drawing air into the lungs during inhalation and expelling it during exhalation. Various factors can affect the efficiency of the respiratory system, including environmental conditions, age, and the presence of respiratory diseases.