respiratory system

respiratory system   (click for larger image in new window) n.  The integrated system of organs involved in the intake and exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between an organism and the environment.

respiratory system [(res-puh-ruh-tawr-ee)]

The organs in the body involved in respiration. Air enters the body through the nose and mouth and travels down the trachea, through the bronchial tubes, and finally into the lungs. Once in the lungs, the air is drawn into an enormous number of thin-walled sacs richly supplied with capillaries. The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood takes place in these tiny sacs.

Main Entry: respiratory system
Function: noun
: a system of organs functioning in respiration and consisting especially of the nose, nasal passages, nasopharynx, larynx,trachea, bronchi, and lungs called also respiratory tract; —see LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT, UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT

respiratory system n.
The integrated system of organs involved in the intake and exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the body and the environment and including the nasal passages, larynx, trachea, bronchial tubes, and lungs.