
Besides helping you inhale (breathe in) and exhale (breathe out), it:
- Allows you to talk and to smell.
- Warms air to match your body temperature and moisturizes it to the humidity level your body needs.
- Delivers oxygen to the cells in your body.
- Removes waste gases, including carbon dioxide, from the body when you exhale.
- Protects your airways from harmful substances and irritants.
What are the five primary functions of the respiratory system?
What are the five primary functions of the respiratory system?
- Gas Exchange – oxygen and carbon dioxide.
- Breathing – movement of air.
- Sound Production.
- Olfactory Assistance – sense of smell.
- Protection – from dust and microbes entering body through mucus production, cilia, and coughing.
Why does the nervous system need the respiratory system?
The respiratory system is responsible for bringing oxygen into the body while expelling carbon dioxide from the body. The body relies on the interaction of the nervous system and respiratory system to accommodate its dynamic physiological needs. The nervous system plays a role in sensing a need for change and initiating appropriate action.
Why do we need to care for our respiratory system?
Importance of the Respiratory System. The respiratory system is responsible for obtaining oxygen and getting rid of carbon dioxide and aiding in speech production and in sensing odors. From a functional perspective, the respiratory system can be divided into two major areas: the conducting zone and the respiratory zone.
How do diseases affect the respiratory system?
Some of the many diseases that can affect the respiratory system include:
- Laryngitis - Swelling and irritation of the larynx
- Bronchitis - An infection in your bronchial tubes
- Tonsillitis - Inflammation of the tonsils
- Pneumonia - An infection deep in your lungs
- Bronchiectasis - Widening and destruction of the airways, often caused by recurrent infection or inflammation

Why is the respiratory system important?
The respiratory system is responsible for obtaining oxygen and getting rid of carbon dioxide and aiding in speech production and in sensing odors. From a functional perspective, the respiratory system can be divided into two major areas: the conducting zone and the respiratory zone.
What are the structures that provide passageways for air to travel into and out of the lungs?
The conducting zone consists of all of the structures that provide passageways for air to travel into and out of the lungs: the nasal cavity, pharynx, trachea, bronchi, and most bronchioles . The nasal passages contain the conchae and meatuses that expand the surface area of the cavity which helps to warm and humidify incoming air ...
Which part of the pharynx is continuous with the nasal cavity?
The pharynx is composed of three major sections: the nasopharynx which is continuous with the nasal cavity; the oropharynx which borders the nasopharynx and the oral cavity, and the laryngopharynx which borders the oropharynx, trachea, and esophagus.
