Which components make up the respiratory system?

The respiratory system is primarily composed of the left and right lungs along with the airways that facilitate the movement of air in and out of the lungs. The lungs are the central organs of respiration, where gas exchange occurs – oxygen is absorbed into the bloodstream, and carbon dioxide is expelled from the body. The airways include structures such as the trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles, which serve to transport air from the external environment to the lungs and vice versa. This intricate system ensures that vital processes such as breathing and gas exchange occur efficiently.

Other options present components related to the circulatory system or skeletal muscular structures, which, while important for overall health and functionality, do not define the respiratory system. The heart and arteries pertain to the circulatory system, responsible for blood flow, while veins and capillaries are also part of this system, involved in transporting oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. On the other hand, skeletal muscles and diaphragm play supportive roles in breathing by facilitating the expansion and contraction of the thoracic cavity but are not the primary components of the respiratory system itself.