The lungs are the primary organs that inhale oxygen.
The process of inhaling oxygen (also known as inspiration or inhalation) is a crucial part of the respiratory system's function. Here's a more detailed look:
- The Respiratory System: This system is responsible for bringing oxygen into the body and removing carbon dioxide.
- Lungs' Role: The lungs are the central organs in this process. When you inhale, air is drawn into the lungs.
- Mechanism of Action:
- The diaphragm (a muscle located below the lungs) contracts and moves downward.
- The rib cage expands.
- This increases the volume of the chest cavity, reducing the pressure inside.
- Air rushes in through the nose and mouth, down the trachea (windpipe), and into the lungs.
- Gas Exchange: Inside the lungs, oxygen is transferred from the air into the bloodstream, while carbon dioxide moves from the bloodstream into the air to be exhaled. This gas exchange occurs in tiny air sacs called alveoli.
Therefore, while other parts of the respiratory system facilitate the process, it is specifically the lungs where the actual inhalation and absorption of oxygen take place.
