13.2 Functions of the Respiratory System
Functions of the Respiratory System[1]
The primary functions of the major organs of the respiratory system include the following:
- Take in oxygen needed by the body’s cells and remove the waste product carbon dioxide
- Help maintain acid-base balance
- Sense odors
- Produce speech
Functionally, the respiratory system can be divided into a conducting zone and a respiratory zone. The conducting zone of the respiratory system includes the organs and structures through which air passes but they are not directly involved in gas exchange. Gas exchange occurs in the respiratory zone.
- Betts, J. G., Young, K. A., Wise, J. A., Johnson, E., Poe, B., Kruse, D. H., Korol, O., Johnson, J. E., Womble, M., & DeSaix, P. (2022). Anatomy and physiology 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/pages/1-introduction ↵
definition
The parts of the respiratory system that air passes through but do not participate directly in gas exchange.
The parts of the respiratory system where gas exchange between air and blood occurs.
