Respiratory Physiology

Respiratory Physiology is the study of how the respiratory system functions to supply oxygen to the body and remove carbon dioxide waste. It examines how the body moves air in and out of the lungs, how the organs of the respiratory system work together to exchange gases, and how various diseases and conditions can affect the way respiratory gases are exchanged. Respiratory Physiology is important in understanding the mechanisms of diseases of the airways, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as understanding the normal development, aging, and exercise-induced changes in the respiratory system. Understanding Respiratory Physiology can also help optimize treatments of respiratory failure, such as mechanical ventilation.