respiratória

Respiratòria refers to anything related to respiration, the process by which living organisms exchange gases with their environment. This fundamental biological process involves the intake of oxygen and the release of carbon dioxide. In humans and other animals, respiration is primarily carried out by the respiratory system, which includes organs like the lungs, trachea, and diaphragm.

The term "respiratòria" can also be used to describe conditions or diseases affecting the respiratory system. Respiratory illnesses can range in severity from common ailments like the common cold and influenza to more serious conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These conditions can impair the ability of the lungs to efficiently exchange gases, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pain.

In a broader biological context, respiration is not limited to animals. Plants also respire, taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen during cellular respiration, although they also perform photosynthesis which reverses this process in the presence of light. Microorganisms also engage in various forms of respiration depending on their environment. The study of respiratory functions and their associated disorders falls under the medical specialty of pulmonology.