The lungs and respiratory system work together to provide the body with the oxygen it needs and to remove carbon dioxide, a waste gas. The respiratory system includes the nose, nasal passages, sinuses, pharynx, larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), bronchi, and lungs.

The lungs are two spongy, air-filled organs located on either side of the chest. When you inhale, air enters through the nose or mouth, travels down the trachea, and into the bronchi, which branch into smaller tubes called bronchioles, ending in tiny air sacs called alveoli. It’s in the alveoli that oxygen passes into the blood and carbon dioxide is removed.

This gas exchange is essential for cellular respiration, which powers the body's activities. The diaphragm, a muscle beneath the lungs, helps control breathing by contracting and relaxing to allow air in and out of the lungs.

Together, the lungs and respiratory system ensure efficient breathing, oxygen delivery, and removal of metabolic waste gases to keep the body functioning properly