10 Fun Facts About The Respiratory System

5 Key Takeaways

1. Respiratory viruses such as Covid-19, RSV, and influenza hamper our ability to breathe properly.
2. Our respiratory system is where inhaled oxygen makes its way into our bloodstream and to our vital organs.
3. Muscles that power and control your lungs are also part of the respiratory system.
4. Not only does your respiratory system introduce oxygen to the body, but it also helps clean out carbon dioxide and other waste gases.
5. Your respiratory system, when healthy, protects your body from irritants and harmful substances, and HPFY has products to help keep your respiratory system healthy.

1. One lung is larger than the other

This is to accommodate the size of our hearts. Our heart is located on the left side of our body, and the lung is slightly smaller to accommodate this important organ. Your right lung is separated into three different lobes, while your left side is separated into only two. Each load is separated by a fissure. 

2. Lungs can float

Due to the air located in the alveoli, this organ can float in water. Inside each lung are about 30,000 bronchioles, which help air reach the alveoli. Each lung contains approximately 300 million alveoli, which replace carbon dioxide waste in your blood with oxygen. That’s why we can float when we swim!!

3. Our lungs are not sterile/germ-free

The lower respiratory tract can be full of bacteria, even when we are completely healthy. Most of these bacteria got there due to micro-aspiration. Many of these bacteria can be microbes that normally live in our bodies, known as normal flora. These bacteria do not lead to illness/sickness.

4. Our lungs transfer oxygen to our blood

In our lungs, red blood cells containing hemoglobin transfer inhaled oxygen into the bloodstream for distribution throughout the body. This is accomplished by a process called diffusion. Oxygen moves from the alveoli to our blood through capillaries lining the alveolar walls. Once this oxygen gets into the bloodstream, it’s picked up by hemoglobin in red blood cells.

5. Multi-functions of the nose

Yes, our nose lets us smell flowers, but it has other functions. It is a filter, heater, and humidifier for our respiratory system. Turbinates have blood cells that heat inhaled air, and goblet cells secrete mucus to add humidity to this air. This sticky mucus also traps inhaled particles and microbes. Dry winter air can dry out our noses and sinuses, making breathing difficult.

6. You can live with one lung

While living with one lung is possible, it limits your lung capacity and physical ability. You can survive with only one lung since the remaining lung can deliver enough oxygen and remove CO2 to survive. There can be issues; for instance, my paternal grandfather had one lung removed and was unable to cough while choking on food. Unfortunately, this led to his death.

7. Breathing is an involuntary reflex

Fortunately, we don’t need to think about breathing. It is one of our body’s involuntary reflexes. We are triggered to breathe involuntarily by our medulla oblongata, which is part of the brainstem. This is part of the autonomic nervous system. So, let your kids hold their breath. They will start breathing automatically!!

8. Alveoli/Capillaries work together

In your lungs are millions of alveoli, and they are surrounded by blood vessels known as capillaries. Each is only one cell thick in order for gas diffusion to occur. Diffusion allows oxygen inhaled into alveoli to be transferred through capillaries into our blood, where 98.5% is bound to hemoglobin and 1.5% is dissolved in the blood. This is how oxygen gets into our bloodstream.

9. Our diaphragm is important

This thin muscle sheet under our lungs is critical to our breathing. It allows our lungs to expand and contract as we breathe. This curved muscle flattens and contracts as we inhale. It separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity and performs the function of respiration. As a contract, the volume of the thoracic cavity increases, drawing air into the lungs.

10. Breathing removes water

Yes, as we exhale, we expel waste gas, such as carbon dioxide, from our bodies. Also, in this process, we lose water…a lot. At rest, humans can expel 17.5 mL of water per hour, according to a 2012 article in the journal Polish Pneumonology and Allergology. When exercising, you can lose 4x that amount. Just exhale on a mirror and see the moisture condensation for yourself!!