What are the major functions of the respiratory system?

The main function for the respiratory system is to allow you to breath in and out, so that oxygen can enter your bloodstream and carbon dioxide can be filtered out.

What are the major organs in the respiratory system?

One major organ is the pharynx: The pharynx is responsible for collecting air after it passes through the nasal cavity and then passing it down into your wind pipe. The pharynx is also apart of your digestive system.

The other major organ in the respiratory system is the lungs. The lungs are responsible for taking in oxygen and breathing out carbon dioxide. This process is called exchange. Inside the lungs are bronchi which lead into bronchioles which then lead to alveoli.

How does the whole process work?

Air enters through the mouth or nasal cavity. The air then passes into your pharynx which leads to your trachea or windpipe. The trachea splits into two tubes called bronchi which go into both lungs. The bronchi tubes keep splitting up to form your bronchiole. The tubes keep splitting up until the air passes into air sacs called alveoli. The alveoli are surrounded by capillaries. The capillaries or walls of the alveoli are so thin that they allow oxygen or carbon dioxide to pass through.