People often forget about the importance of the human respiratory system but it is the most important cycle in our body. Although it seems to be simple, it is complex process of transporting oxygen to the lung. Before oxygen reaches the lung, the oxygen passes through other respiratory systems. The basic respiratory system includes nose, pharynx, the trachea and the lung.
First, the air enters our body through nose or mouth. When the air enters, hairs and hair like cilia traps dust particles. After the first purification of the air, the air is sent to pharynx which is at the rear of the mouth. There are two tubes called Eustachian tubes in the pharynx that opens to the middle ear and equalize air pressure. Also pockets of lymphatic tissues in pharynx traps and filters microorganism which passes through it.
Once the air has passed through pharynx, the air will reach trachea. The opening of trachea begins with the slit like structure called the glottis. Epiglottis which is a thin flap tissue folds over the opening to prevent food from entering trachea. Next the air passes through larynx which is known as the voice box. Tissues in the larynx vibrates when people exhales and produce sounds. At the end of trachea, there are tubes which are called bronchi. These smooth tubes branch into bronchioles and further into air sacs known as alveoli.
Finally, the air reaches the lung. The lung is composed of more than 300 million alveoli. When blood passes through capillary network which is surrounded by alveoli, oxygen in the alveoli enters red blood cells to bind with hemoglobin. On the other side, carbon dioxide contain in the red blood cells enter alveoli.
In conclusion, the human respiratory system is a complex process than it seems like. Although it happens in an instance, there are numerous steps before the oxygen reaches our lung.
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