The Journey of a Breath – The Respiratory System
Our breath is integral part of our well being and is our life force, our energy force.
With the process of breathing, we supply an important gas called oxygen to all the cells in our body. Cells require oxygen to generate energy. We need this energy to think, use our brains and for movement among many other bodily functions.
The respiratory system is intricately designed with organs and muscles, soft tissues etc. Among many functions, its main function is to supply oxygen all through the blood our body and to release carbon dioxide from the body.
Inhalation (Breathing In)
1. Air enters through the (nasal cavity) nostrils/mouth (filtered, warmed, and moistened)
2. Air then passes through the Pharynx (throat) & the larynx (voice box)
3. Travels down the trachea (windpipe) which divide into two primary parts called bronchi
4. Moves into the two bronchi, each carrying air to the lungs
5. The large, dome-shaped primary muscle under the lungs, called the diaphragm, contracts and moves downward to increase chest cavity volume and expand the lungs
6. The intercostal muscles help expand and contract the ribcage. They are in between the ribs and pull the rib cage up and out. These actions create more space in the chest, allowing the lungs to expand
7. Air travels from the bronchi to the smaller bronchioles. Bronchioles are the smallest branches of the bronchial tree within the lungs
8. Reaches tiny air sacs called alveoli in the lungs. Alveoli are tiny, balloon-shaped air sacs that facilitate oxygen to enter blood stream & carbon dioxide to leave blood stream
9. Oxygen moves from alveoli into blood via capillaries. With their hairlike thin walls, capillaries allow fluids and gases to pass through easily. Capillaries are delicate blood vessels that deliver nutrients and oxygen to cells throughout the body. They also remove carbon dioxide and other waste from the cells.
Exhalation (Breathing Out)
1. Carbon dioxide a waste gas, moves from the blood into the alveoli to be breathed out.
2. Air travels back out through bronchioles and bronchi
3. Diaphragm relaxes and moves back up into its dome shape.
4. Rib Muscles, intercostal muscles relax between the ribs, moves inward and downward.
5. Chest Cavity shrinks, reduces the space in the chest.
6. Air is Pushed out and the lungs become smaller, forcing the air out
7. Leaves the body through nose/mouth.
Inhalation brings oxygen-rich air into the lungs as the diaphragm and rib muscles expand the chest cavity, while exhalation releases carbon dioxide-rich air as these muscles relax, causing the lungs to contract. This fundamental process, controlled by the brain and driven by changes in air pressure, allows for the vital exchange of gases essential for life.
Not breathing fully, or shallow breathing only chest and up, can lead to a lack of oxygen and a buildup of carbon dioxide in the body, causing fatigue, confusion, and disrupted organ function.
The next article will be on Pranayama and its importance in our lives today.