Exhalation

Exhalation (or expiration) is the flow of the breath or air out of an organism. In humans it is the movement of air out of the bronchial tubes, through the airway, to the external environment during breathing.

Process

Exhalation is a passive process due to the elastic properties of the lungs. During this process, the high pressure air in the lungs is exhaled out of the body leading to a decrease in volume, which leads to an increase in pressure in comparison to the atmosphere. The process of exhaling air out of the lungs is powered by the elastic recoil of the lung tissue which is caused by the alveolar surface tension, and the diaphragm relaxing.

Role in the respiratory cycle

The process of exhalation plays a crucial role in the Respiratory cycle. The process of inhaling air into the lungs is known as inhalation. The purpose of the respiratory cycle is to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide between the body and the environment. This exchange process is essential for maintaining the body's acid-base balance and for the process of cellular respiration, which generates energy for the body's functions.

See also

• Inhalation
• Breathing
• Respiratory cycle
• Cellular respiration
• Acid-base homeostasis

References

Exhalation Resources
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