Humans breathe with their lungs. The lungs are the main organs of the respiratory system, which is responsible for taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide.
The respiratory system is a complex network of organs and structures that work together to allow us to breathe. The lungs are vital organs because they provide oxygen to the blood, which is then carried throughout the body to fuel every cell.
The lungs are located in the chest cavity and are surrounded by a membrane called the pleura. The pleura helps to lubricate the lungs and allows them to expand and contract during breathing.
The lungs are made up of tiny air sacs called alveoli. These air sacs are surrounded by capillaries, which are tiny blood vessels. When we breathe in, oxygen passes from the alveoli into the capillaries and is carried to the heart.
When we breathe out, carbon dioxide passes from the capillaries into the alveoli and is exhaled out of the body. This exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide is called respiration.