External respiration

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

External respiration is the process of exchanging gases between the atmosphere and the blood through the lungs. It is one of the steps in respiration, and it involves the inhalation and exhalation of gases.

Process[edit | edit source]

External respiration involves three main steps: pulmonary ventilation, gas diffusion, and transport of gases by the blood.

Pulmonary Ventilation[edit | edit source]

Pulmonary ventilation, also known as breathing, is the process of air flowing into the lungs during inhalation and out of the lungs during exhalation.

Gas Diffusion[edit | edit source]

Gas diffusion occurs across the respiratory membrane, where gases are exchanged between the alveoli and the capillaries.

Transport of Gases[edit | edit source]

The blood transports gases to and from the tissues. Oxygen is carried to the tissues, and carbon dioxide is carried away from the tissues.

Factors Affecting External Respiration[edit | edit source]

Several factors can affect the rate and efficiency of external respiration, including the partial pressure of the gases, the surface area available for gas exchange, and the diffusion distance.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

External respiration Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD