Lungs and Respiratory System (for Parents)

<!DOCTYPE HTML> <html lang="en"> <head>  <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push( {'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'} );var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-KSJ58RM');</script>   <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com"/> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com" crossorigin/> <link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Montserrat:wght@400;500;600;700&display=swap" rel="stylesheet"/>  <script> KHAdLanguage ="en"; KHAdSection ="parent"; KHAdSubCat = "alf_en_parents_body-basics"; KHAdTitle ="lungsandrespiratorysystem"; KHCD = "pulmonology"; // clinical designation aspect KHPCD = "pulmonology"; // primary clinical designation aspect KHAge = "all-ages-or-age-agnostic"; // age aspect KHGenre = "article"; // genre aspect KHPCAFull = "pca_en_parents_pulmonology"; // full gam tag for aspects licName = "KidsHealth"; </script> <meta property="og:description" content="We need the respiratory system for breathing. Find out how it works."/> <meta property="og:title" content="Lungs and Respiratory System (for Parents)"/> <meta property="twitter:title" content="Lungs and Respiratory System (for Parents)"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://kidshealth.org/content/dam/kidshealth/en/social/P_socialCard_small_en.png"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://kidshealth.org/content/dam/kidshealth/en/social/P_socialCard_small_en.png"/> <meta property="og:image:type" content="image/png"/> <meta property="og:image:width" content="200"/> <meta property="og:image:height" content="200"/> <meta property="og:image:alt" content="Nemours KidsHealth"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="We need the respiratory system for breathing. Find out how it works."/> <meta name="twitter:image:alt" content="Nemours KidsHealth"/>  <script> window.digitalData = window.digitalData || {}; window.digitalData = { page : { language:'english', licensee:'Mothership', pageType:'article', section:'parents', template:'standardTemplate', title:'Lungs and Respiratory System' } }; </script>   <script src="https://assets.adobedtm.com/60e564f16d33/ac808e2960eb/launch-9661e12d662b.min.js" async></script> <meta charset="UTF-8"/> <meta name="marcTag" content="standardPage/head.html"/> <script type="text/javascript"> window.rsConf = {general: {usePost: true}}; </script> <meta name="template" content="standardTemplate"/> <meta name="section" content="parents"/> <meta name="language" content="english"/> <meta name="kh_content_type" content="article"/> <meta name="fusionDataSource" content="kidshealth"/> <meta name="kh_language" content="english"/> <meta name="kh_section" content="parents"/> <meta name="kh_licensee" content="Mothership"/> <meta name="adcondition"/> <meta name="hashID" content="75d7e78cc8a299c901dc1744ba621a50c20787b7"/> <meta name="site" content="MOTHERSHIP"/> <meta name="keywords" content="lungs, lung, respiratory, breathing, breathe, breath, smoking, lung cancer, pulmonary hypertension, bronchiolitis, bronchitis, emphysema, inhale, exhale, inhalation, exhalation, asthma, respiratory syncytial virus, rsv, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, copd, common cold, cigarette smoking, cough, cystic fibrosis, cf, pneumonia, respiratory diseases of newborns, apnea of prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, meconium aspiration, persistent pulmonary tension of the newborn, transient tachypnea of the newborn, pharynx, esophagus, epiglottis, larynx, vocal cords, trachea, diaphragm, bronchioles, chest cavity, thorax, bronchi, alveoli, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nose, throat, voice box, windpipe, nostrils, cilia, CD1Pulmonology"/> <meta name="description" content="We need the respiratory system for breathing. Find out how it works."/> <meta name="published_date" content="05/23/2024"/> <meta name="notify" content="n"/> <meta name="created-date" content="08/27/2024 "/> <meta name="last-modified-date" content="05/23/2024 "/> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"/> <meta name="kh:pageKeywords" content="lungs, lung, respiratory, breathing, breathe, breath, smoking, lung cancer, pulmonary hypertension, bronchiolitis, bronchitis, emphysema, inhale, exhale, inhalation, exhalation, asthma, respiratory syncytial virus, rsv, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, copd, common cold, cigarette smoking, cough, cystic fibrosis, cf, pneumonia, respiratory diseases of newborns, apnea of prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, meconium aspiration, persistent pulmonary tension of the newborn, transient tachypnea of the newborn, pharynx, esophagus, epiglottis, larynx, vocal cords, trachea, diaphragm, bronchioles, chest cavity, thorax, bronchi, alveoli, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nose, throat, voice box, windpipe, nostrils, cilia, CD1Pulmonology"/> <meta name="kh:pageDescription" content="We need the respiratory system for breathing. Find out how it works."/> <meta property="kh:pageTitle" content="Lungs and Respiratory System"/> <meta name="allow-Search" content="true"/> <meta name="available-to-MotherShip" content=" true"/> <meta name="available-to-Licencesee" content="true"/> <meta name="availble-to-XML feed" content=" true"/> <meta name="allow-Web-Services" content="true"/> <meta name="Author"/> <meta name="Aspects"/> <meta name="Categories" content="kidshealth:categories/general/body-basics,kidshealth:categories/medical/lungs"/> <meta name="Last-Review-By"/> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/etc.clientlibs/kidshealth/clientlibs/clientlib-base.css" type="text/css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/etc.clientlibs/kidshealth/clientlibs/clientlib-site.css" type="text/css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/etc.clientlibs/kidshealth/clientlibs/clientlib-common.css" type="text/css"> <script type="text/javascript" src="/etc.clientlibs/clientlibs/granite/jquery.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/etc.clientlibs/clientlibs/granite/utils.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/etc.clientlibs/clientlibs/granite/jquery/granite.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/etc.clientlibs/kidshealth/clientlibs/clientlib-base.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/etc.clientlibs/kidshealth/clientlibs/clientlibs-js-site.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/etc.clientlibs/kidshealth/clientlibs/clientlib-js-common.js"></script> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="/content/dam/kh-reskin/favicon-2.png"/> <meta property="og:url" content="https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/lungs.html" x-cq-linkchecker="skip"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/lungs.html"/> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="es" href="https://kidshealth.org/es/parents/lungs.html"/> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="en" href="https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/lungs.html"/> <script> var isEdit = "false"; </script> <title>Lungs and Respiratory System (for Parents) | Nemours KidsHealth</title> </head> <body class=" mouseUser">  <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-KSJ58RM" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>   <div id="skipnavigation"><a id="skippy" class="accessible" href="#thelou">[Skip to Content]</a></div> <div id="kh-background-overlay" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1" style="display: none"> </div> <div id="khMainContainer" class="standardPageContainer"> <div class="header"> <header id="kh-header">  <div id="kh-eyebrow-container" class="englishEyebrow"> <div id="kh-eyebrow" class="container-width"> <span>Find care at </span> <span class="kh-eyebrow-links"> <a href="https://www.nemours.org?external_id=RE2350835010600" target="_blank">Nemours Children's Health</a> <span class="eyebrow-bar" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a href="https://www.nemours.org/find-a-doctor.html?external_id=RE2350835010600" aria-label="Nemours Doctors" target="_blank">Doctors</a> <span class="eyebrow-bar" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a href="https://www.nemours.org/locations.html?external_id=RE2350835010600" aria-label="Nemours Locations" target="_blank">Locations</a> </span> </div> </div> <div class="kh-header-container"> <div id="kh-header-section" class="container-width"> <div id="kh-logo"> <a href="/" target="_self"> <img src="/content/dam/kh-reskin/nemours-kidshealth-logo.svg" alt="Nemours KidsHealth"/> </a> </div> <nav aria-label="Main"> <ul id="kh-topnav-tabs" class="kh-mobile-hidden kh-english"> <li> <button id="kh-parents-tab" aria-expanded="false" data-title="For Parents" data-section="parents"> <span class="kh-section-text">For Parents</span> </button> </li> <li> <button id="kh-kids-tab" aria-expanded="false" data-title="For Kids" data-section="kids"> <span class="kh-section-text">For Kids</span> </button> </li> <li> <button id="kh-teens-tab" aria-expanded="false" data-title="For Teens" data-section="teens"> <span class="kh-section-text">For Teens</span> </button> </li> <li data-section="educators"> <button id="kh-educator-tab" aria-expanded="false" role="link" class="new-window-button" onclick="window.open('https://classroom.kidshealth.org', '_blank')" data-title="For Educators" target="_blank"> <span class="kh-section-text">For Educators</span> </button> </li> </ul> </nav> <div id="kh-header-buttons"> <div id="kh-search"> <button type="button" data-expanded="false" id="kh-search-icon" class="ctg showOnDesktop">Search</button> </div> <div id="kh-mob-menu-toggle"> <button data-expanded="false" id="kh-mob-icon" aria-expanded="false"><span class="hideOffScreen">Menu</span></button> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="kh-mob-menu"> <div id="kh-mob-menu-top-row"> <div id="kh-mob-logo"> <a href="/" target="_self"> <img src="/content/dam/kh-reskin/nemours-kidshealth-logo.svg" alt="Nemours KidsHealth"/> </a> </div> <div id="kh-mob-close"> <button id="mob-menu-close">Close Menu</button> </div> </div> <ul id="kh-mob-menu-buttons"> <li> <button id="mob-butt-parents" aria-expanded="false" data-title="For Parents" data-section="parents"> <span class="kh-section-text">For Parents</span> </button> </li> <li> <button id="mob-butt-kids" aria-expanded="false" data-title="For Kids" data-section="kids"> <span class="kh-section-text">For Kids</span> </button> </li> <li> <button id="mob-butt-teens" aria-expanded="false" data-title="For Teens" data-section="teens"> <span class="kh-section-text">For Teens</span> </button> </li> <li data-section="educators"> <button id="mob-butt-educators" aria-expanded="false" role="link" class="new-window-button" onclick="window.open('https://classroom.kidshealth.org', '_blank')" data-title="For Educators" target="_blank"> <span class="kh-section-text">For Educators</span> </button><div class="tabTrap" id="tabTrap_mm" tabindex="-1"></div> </li> </ul> <div class="kh-section-subnav closedNav" id="kh-parents-subnav" data-section="parents"> <div class="kh-section-subnav-inner container-width"> <div class="kh-mob-back"> <button id="parentsBack" data-section="parents">Back</button> </div> <div class="kh-section-subnav-row1"> <label for="parents-main-nav-list" class="desktop-label">Featured Topics</label> <label for="parents-main-nav-list" class="mobile-label">For Parents</label> </div> <div class="kh-section-subnav-row2"> <div class="khsr2-left"> <ul class="kh-subnav-lr" id="parents-main-nav-list"> <li class="mob-nav-only"><a class="tertiary-link" href="/es/parents/" lang="es">Sitio para padres</a></li> <li class="mob-nav-only"><a href="/en/parents/">Parents Home</a></li> <li> <a href="/en/parents/general/">General Health</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/parents/growth/">Growth & Development</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/parents/infections/">Infections</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/parents/medical/">Diseases & Conditions</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/parents/pregnancy-newborn/">Pregnancy & Baby</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/parents/nutrition-center/">Nutrition & Fitness</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/parents/emotions/">Emotions & Behavior</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/parents/positive/">School & Family Life</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/parents/firstaid-safe/">First Aid & Safety</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/parents/system/">Doctors & Hospitals</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/parents/videos/">Videos</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/parents/question/">Expert Answers (Q&A)</a> </li> <li class="mob-nav-only"><a class="tertiary-link" href="/en/parents/all-categories.html">All Categories</a></li> <li class="mob-nav-only"><a class="tertiary-link" href="/en/parents/centers/center.html">All Wellness Centers</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="khsr2-right"> <a href="https://blog.nemours.org/2024/11/all-about-walking-pneumonia-mycoplasma-pneumonia-in-kids/"> <span class="khsr2-r-c1"><img src="/content/dam/kidshealth/menu-promo-father-son-pneumonia.jpg"/></span> <span class="khsr2-r-c2"> <span class="khsr2-2-c2-heading">Walking Pneumonia</span> <span class="khsr2-r-c2-r1">Walking pneumonia is a less serious form of the lung infection pneumonia.</span> <span class="khsr2-r-c2-r2 tertiary-link-partial">Find out more</span> </span> </a> </div> </div> <div class="kh-section-subnav-row3 desk-nav-only"> <div class="khsr3-left"> <ul> <li><a class="tertiary-link" href="/en/parents/">Parents Home</a></li> <li><a class="tertiary-link" href="/es/parents/" lang="es">Sitio para padres</a></li> <li><a class="tertiary-link" href="/en/parents/all-categories.html">All Categories</a></li> <li><a class="tertiary-link" href="/en/parents/centers/center.html">All Wellness Centers</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="khsr3-right"> <div class="tabTrap" id="tabTrap_parents" tabindex="-1"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="kh-section-subnav closedNav" id="kh-kids-subnav" data-section="kids"> <div class="kh-section-subnav-inner container-width"> <div class="kh-mob-back"> <button id="kidsBack" data-section="kids">Back</button> </div> <div class="kh-section-subnav-row1"> <label for="kids-main-nav-list" class="desktop-label">Featured Topics</label> <label for="kids-main-nav-list" class="mobile-label">For Kids</label> </div> <div class="kh-section-subnav-row2"> <div class="khsr2-left"> <ul class="kh-subnav-lr" id="kids-main-nav-list"> <li class="mob-nav-only"><a class="tertiary-link" href="/es/kids/" lang="es">Sitio para niños</a></li> <li class="mob-nav-only"><a href="/en/kids/">Kids Home</a></li> <li> <a href="/en/kids/center/htbw-main-page.html">How the Body Works</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/kids/grow/">Puberty & Growing Up</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/kids/stay-healthy/">Staying Healthy</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/kids/watch/">Staying Safe</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/kids/word/">Dictionary</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/kids/health-problems/">Health Problems</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/kids/ill-injure/">Illnesses & Injuries</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/kids/center/relax-center.html">Relax & Unwind</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/kids/feel-better/">People, Places & Things That Help</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/kids/feeling/">Feelings</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/kids/talk/">Expert Answers (Q&A)</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/kids/videos/">Videos</a> </li> <li class="mob-nav-only"><a class="tertiary-link" href="/en/kids/all-categories.html">All Categories</a></li> <li class="mob-nav-only"><a class="tertiary-link" href="/en/kids/centers/center.html">All Wellness Centers</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="khsr2-right"> <a href="/en/kids/5-steps.html"> <span class="khsr2-r-c1"><img src="/content/dam/kidshealth/menu-promo-kid-meditation.jpeg"/></span> <span class="khsr2-r-c2"> <span class="khsr2-2-c2-heading">How Can I Handle Stress?</span> <span class="khsr2-r-c2-r1">There are ways to help yourself through stressful moments.</span> <span class="khsr2-r-c2-r2 tertiary-link-partial">Find out how</span> </span> </a> </div> </div> <div class="kh-section-subnav-row3 desk-nav-only"> <div class="khsr3-left"> <ul> <li><a class="tertiary-link" href="/en/kids/">Kids Home</a></li> <li><a class="tertiary-link" href="/es/kids/" lang="es">Sitio para niños</a></li> <li><a class="tertiary-link" href="/en/kids/all-categories.html">All Categories</a></li> <li><a class="tertiary-link" href="/en/kids/centers/center.html">All Wellness Centers</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="khsr3-right"> <div class="tabTrap" id="tabTrap_kids" tabindex="-1"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="kh-section-subnav closedNav" id="kh-teens-subnav" data-section="teens"> <div class="kh-section-subnav-inner container-width"> <div class="kh-mob-back"> <button id="teensBack" data-section="teens">Back</button> </div> <div class="kh-section-subnav-row1"> <label for="teens-main-nav-list" class="desktop-label">Featured Topics</label> <label for="teens-main-nav-list" class="mobile-label">For Teens</label> </div> <div class="kh-section-subnav-row2"> <div class="khsr2-left"> <ul class="kh-subnav-lr" id="teens-main-nav-list"> <li class="mob-nav-only"><a class="tertiary-link" href="/es/teens/" lang="es">Sitio para adolescentes</a></li> <li class="mob-nav-only"><a href="/en/teens/">Teens Home</a></li> <li> <a href="/en/teens/your-body/">Body</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/teens/your-mind/">Mind</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/teens/sexual-health/">Sexual Health</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/teens/food-fitness/">Food & Fitness</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/teens/diseases-conditions/">Diseases & Conditions</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/teens/infections/">Infections</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/teens/drug-alcohol/">Drugs & Alcohol</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/teens/school-jobs/">School & Jobs</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/teens/sports-center/">Sports</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/teens/expert/">Expert Answers (Q&A)</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/teens/safety/">Staying Safe</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/teens/videos/">Videos</a> </li> <li class="mob-nav-only"><a class="tertiary-link" href="/en/teens/all-categories.html">All Categories</a></li> <li class="mob-nav-only"><a class="tertiary-link" href="/en/teens/centers/center.html">All Wellness Centers</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="khsr2-right"> <a href="/en/teens/talk-depression.html"> <span class="khsr2-r-c1"><img src="/content/dam/kidshealth/menu-promo-father-son-talking.jpeg"/></span> <span class="khsr2-r-c2"> <span class="khsr2-2-c2-heading">Getting Help for Depression</span> <span class="khsr2-r-c2-r1">If you feel depressed or alone, talking to a parent is a good place to start.</span> <span class="khsr2-r-c2-r2 tertiary-link-partial">Tips for talking</span> </span> </a> </div> </div> <div class="kh-section-subnav-row3 desk-nav-only"> <div class="khsr3-left"> <ul> <li><a class="tertiary-link" href="/en/teens/">Teens Home</a></li> <li><a class="tertiary-link" href="/es/teens/" lang="es">Sitio para adolescentes</a></li> <li><a class="tertiary-link" href="/en/teens/all-categories.html">All Categories</a></li> <li><a class="tertiary-link" href="/en/teens/centers/center.html">All Wellness Centers</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="khsr3-right"> <div class="tabTrap" id="tabTrap_teens" tabindex="-1"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="kh-search-area" role="dialog" aria-label="Search" class="closedSearch"> <form id="searchform" name="searchform" method="get" role="search" action="/en/searchresults.html" actionpath="/en/searchresults.html" class="container-width noSuggs"> <input type="hidden" name="search" value="y"/><label for="q" class="hideOffScreen">Search KidsHealth library</label> <div class="easy-autocomplete" style="width: 100px;"> <input type="text" maxlength="256" id="q" name="q" placeholder="Search" onfocus="clearText(this)" onblur="clearText(this)" role="combobox" autocomplete="off" lang="en" required="required" aria-expanded="false" tabindex="0"/> <div class="easy-autocomplete-container" id="eac-container-q"> <ul role="listbox"></ul> </div> </div> <script> </script> <input type="hidden" name="datasource" value="kidshealth"/><input type="hidden" name="start" value="0"/><input type="hidden" name="rows" value="10"/> <input type="hidden" name="section" value="parents_teens_kids"/> <div id="searchSelectBox"> <select id="searchLangSelector" name="lang"> <option value="english" id="kh-search-lang-sel-en" selected="selected">English</option> <option value="spanish" id="kh-search-lang-sel-es">Espa&#241ol</option> </select> </div> <input type="button" value="search" id="searchButton" role="button" onclick="searchurl();"/>  <div id="validationfield"> <span id="validationMessage"> </span> </div> <div id="suggsAnnounce" aria-live="polite" role="status" class="hideOffScreen"></div> </form> <div class="tabTrap" id="tabTrap_search" tabindex="-1"></div> </div> <script>NS_CSM_td=461111327;NS_CSM_pd=275116664;NS_CSM_u="/clm10";NS_CSM_col="AAAAAAXkjnnn+q6yAysozO03y72jYxss2KeEEamn/UgDkG5kcqLMnAhQCwfftok/eyc0tdU=";</script><script type="text/javascript">function sendTimingInfoInit(){setTimeout(sendTimingInfo,0)}function sendTimingInfo(){var wp=window.performance;if(wp){var c1,c2,t;c1=wp.timing;if(c1){var cm={};cm.ns=c1.navigationStart;if((t=c1.unloadEventStart)>0)cm.us=t;if((t=c1.unloadEventEnd)>0)cm.ue=t;if((t=c1.redirectStart)>0)cm.rs=t;if((t=c1.redirectEnd)>0)cm.re=t;cm.fs=c1.fetchStart;cm.dls=c1.domainLookupStart;cm.dle=c1.domainLookupEnd;cm.cs=c1.connectStart;cm.ce=c1.connectEnd;if((t=c1.secureConnectionStart)>0)cm.scs=t;cm.rqs=c1.requestStart;cm.rss=c1.responseStart;cm.rse=c1.responseEnd;cm.dl=c1.domLoading;cm.di=c1.domInteractive;cm.dcls=c1.domContentLoadedEventStart;cm.dcle=c1.domContentLoadedEventEnd;cm.dc=c1.domComplete;if((t=c1.loadEventStart)>0)cm.ls=t;if((t=c1.loadEventEnd)>0)cm.le=t;cm.tid=NS_CSM_td;cm.pid=NS_CSM_pd;cm.ac=NS_CSM_col;var xhttp=new XMLHttpRequest();if(xhttp){var JSON=JSON||{};JSON.stringify=JSON.stringify||function(ob){var t=typeof(ob);if(t!="object"||ob===null){if(t=="string")ob='"'+ob+'"';return String(ob);}else{var n,v,json=[],arr=(ob&&ob.constructor==Array);for(n in ob){v=ob[n];t=typeof(v);if(t=="string")v='"'+v+'"';else if(t=="object"&&v!==null)v=JSON.stringify(v);json.push((arr?"":'"'+n+'":')+String(v));}return(arr?"[":"{")+String(json)+(arr?"]":"}");}};xhttp.open("POST",NS_CSM_u,true);xhttp.send(JSON.stringify(cm));}}}}if(window.addEventListener)window.addEventListener("load",sendTimingInfoInit,false);else if(window.attachEvent)window.attachEvent("onload",sendTimingInfoInit);else window.onload=sendTimingInfoInit;</script></header> </div> <div id="mainContentContainer" class="kh-article-page"> <div id="thelou" tabindex="-1"> </div> <main id="khMSMain" class="content-width"> <div id="khContentTitleBlock"> <nav aria-label="Breadcrumbs"> <div id="breadcrumbsContainer"> <ul id="breadcrumbs"> <li> <a href="/"> KidsHealth</a></li> <li> <a href="/en/parents/"> Parents</a></li> <li> Lungs and Respiratory System</li> </ul> </div> </nav> <div id="khContentHeading" class="ar"> <h1>Lungs and Respiratory System</h1> </div> <div id="languagePairLink" class="rs_skip" lang="es"> en español: <a href="/es/parents/lungs.html">Pulmones y aparato respiratorio</a> </div> <div> <div id="reviewerBoxTop"> <div id="reviewedByTop"> Medically reviewed by: <a href="https://www.nemours.org/about/kidshealth-medical-editors.html" target="_blank">Larissa Hirsch, MD</a> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div id="departmentSpecialty"> <a href="https://www.nemours.org/locations/primary-care.html" class="rev-multi" target="_blank">Learn About Primary Care Pediatrics at Nemours Children's Health</a> </div> </div> </div> <div id="khcontent"> <div id="khcontent_article" class="khLeft"> <span class="ISI_MESSAGE"></span> <ul id="msArticleControls"> <li class="ac-readspeaker"> <div class="rs_skip rs_skip_en rsbtn_kidshealth rs_preserve" id="readspeaker_button1"> <a onclick="rsUsed('1')" rel="nofollow" class="rsbtn_play rsen" title="Listen to this page using ReadSpeaker" href="//app-na.readspeaker.com/cgi-bin/rsent?customerid=5202&lang=en_us&readid=khcontent_article&url=kidshealth.org/en/parents/lungs.html" data-rsevent-id="rs_886605" role="button"> <span class="rsbtn_left rspart"> <span class="rsbtn_text"> <span class="readspeakerLauncher">Listen</span> </span> </span> <span class="rsbtn_right rsplay rspart"></span> </a> <div class="rsbtn_exp rsimg rspart"> <span class="rsbtn_box"> <button onclick="javascript:void(0);" class="rsbtn_pause rsimg rspart rsbutton" title="Play" data-rsphrase-pause="Pause" data-rsphrase-play="Play" data-rsevent-id="rs_249118"> <span class="rsbtn_btnlabel">Play</span> </button> <button onclick="javascript:void(0);" class="rsbtn_stop rsimg rspart rsbutton" title="Stop" data-rsevent-id="rs_658053"> <span class="rsbtn_btnlabel">Stop</span> </button> <span class="rsbtn_progress_container rspart" data-readspeaker-slider-id-="data-readspeaker-slider-parent-data-readspeaker-slider-id-10734" data-rsevent-id="rs_215867" style=""> <span class="rsbtn_progress_played" style="width: 0%;"></span> <span data-readspeaker-slider-id-="data-readspeaker-slider-id-10734" class="rsbtn_progress_handle rsimg" data-rsevent-id="rs_948321" style="left: 0px;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" role="slider" class="keyLink" style="display:block; border:0;" title="Seek bar" aria-label="Seek bar" aria-orientation="horizontal" aria-valuemin="0" aria-valuemax="100" aria-valuenow="0" data-rsevent-id="rs_781294"> </a></span></span> <button onclick="ariaVolume();" onfocus="ariaVolume();" onblur="ariaVolume();" onfocusout="ariaVolume();" id="thisRSVolume" class="rsbtn_volume rsimg rspart rsbutton" title="Volume" aria-expanded="false" tabindex="0" data-rsevent-id="rs_224875"> <span class="rsbtn_btnlabel">Volume</span> </button> <span class="rsbtn_volume_container rspart" id="thisRSVolumneContainer" style="display: none"> <span class="rsbtn_volume_slider" data-readspeaker-slider-id-="data-readspeaker-slider-parent-data-readspeaker-slider-id-14810" data-rsevent-id="rs_323957"><span data-readspeaker-slider-id-="data-readspeaker-slider-id-14810" class="rsbtn_volume_handle rsimg" data-rsevent-id="rs_195035"><a href="javascript:void(0);" role="slider" class="keyLink" style="display:block; border:0;" title="Change volume" aria-label="Change volume" aria-orientation="vertical" aria-valuemin="0" aria-valuemax="5" aria-valuenow="5" data-rsevent-id="rs_455317"> </a></span></span> </span> <a href="//app-na.readspeaker.com/cgi-bin/rsent?customerid=5202&lang=en_us&readid=khcontent_article&url=kidshealth.org/en/parents/lungs.html&audiofilename=KidsHealth_&save=1" target="rs" class="kh_rs_download rsimg rspart rsbutton" title="mp3"> <span class="rsbtn_btnlabel">mp3</span> </a> <button onclick="javascript:void(0);" class="rsbtn_settings rsimg rspart rsbutton" title="Settings" data-rsevent-id="rs_442984"> <span class="rsbtn_btnlabel">Settings</span> </button> <button class="rsbtn_closer rsimg rspart rsbutton" title="Close Player" data-rsevent-id="rs_377229"> <span class="rsbtn_btnlabel">Close Player</span> </button> <span class="rsdefloat"></span> </span> </div> </div> </li> <li class="ac-textSize"> <div id="kh-text-sizer"> <button id="kh-text-sizer-largest" onclick="textSizer('3');"> <span class="hideOffScreen">Larger text size</span> </button> <button id="kh-text-sizer-larger" onclick="textSizer('2');"> <span class="hideOffScreen">Large text size</span> </button> <button id="kh-text-sizer-regular" onclick="textSizer('1');"> <span class="hideOffScreen">Regular text size</span> </button> </div> </li> <li class="ac-print"> <div id="kh-print-button"> <a onclick='printWindow1(this.href); return false; rel="nofollow"' tabindex="0"> <span class="printLabel">Print</span> </a> </div> </li> </ul>   <div> <div class="cmp-container"> <div class="rte-image">  </div> <div class="rte-image">  <h3>What Is the Respiratory System?</h3> <p>When we breathe, the respiratory system takes in oxygen and sends out carbon dioxide. The cells in our bodies need fresh oxygen to stay alive. As cells do their jobs, they make and give off carbon dioxide. This exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide is called <strong>respiration</strong>.</p> <h3>What Are the Parts of the Respiratory System?</h3> <p>The respiratory system includes the nose, mouth, throat, voice box, windpipe, lungs, and diaphragm.</p> <h3>How Does Breathing Happen?</h3> <p>The <strong>diaphragm</strong> (DYE-uh-fram) is a muscle between the chest and the abdomen that allows the body to move air in and out of the respiratory system. When you breathe in (inhalation), the diaphragm moves down toward the abdomen, and the rib muscles pull the ribs upward and outward. This makes the chest cavity bigger and pulls air through the nose or mouth into the <strong>lungs</strong>.</p> <p>When you breathe out (exhalation), the diaphragm moves up and the chest wall muscles relax, causing the chest cavity to get smaller and push air out of the respiratory system through the nose or mouth.</p> </div> <div class="slideshow carousel"> <div class="kh-slideshow-container" data-cmp-is="carousel"> <div class="kh-slideshow" data-slidestotalcount="12"> <div class="kh-slide active-slide" id="slideNumber1"> <div class="kh-slideshow-slide-image"> <img src="/content/dam/nemours/shared/images/slideshows/en/respiratory-slideshow/respiratorySystem_slide1.jpg" alt="respiratorySystem_enSS"/> </div> <div class="kh-slideshow-slide-info"> <h2 class="kh-slideshow-slide-title">The Respiratory System</h2> <p>We take thousands of breaths a day, thanks to the respiratory system.</p> </div> </div> <div class="kh-slide" id="slideNumber2"> <div class="kh-slideshow-slide-image"> <img src="/content/dam/nemours/shared/images/slideshows/en/respiratory-slideshow/respiratorySystem_slide2.jpg" alt="respiratorySystem_enSS"/> </div> <div class="kh-slideshow-slide-info"> <h2 class="kh-slideshow-slide-title">The Respiratory System</h2> <p>The nose, throat, and lungs are just a few parts of the body that make up the respiratory system. They work together to bring oxygen into the body and take carbon dioxide (a waste product) out.</p> </div> </div> <div class="kh-slide" id="slideNumber3"> <div class="kh-slideshow-slide-image"> <img src="/content/dam/nemours/shared/images/slideshows/en/respiratory-slideshow/respiratorySystem_slide3.jpg" alt="respiratorySystem_enSS"/> </div> <div class="kh-slideshow-slide-info"> <h2 class="kh-slideshow-slide-title">The Respiratory System</h2> <p>The cells in the body need oxygen to do their job. Oxygen comes from the air. When we breathe in through the nose or mouth, we pull air into the throat and down the trachea.</p> </div> </div> <div class="kh-slide" id="slideNumber4"> <div class="kh-slideshow-slide-image"> <img src="/content/dam/nemours/shared/images/slideshows/en/respiratory-slideshow/respiratorySystem_slide4.jpg" alt="respiratorySystem_enSS"/> </div> <div class="kh-slideshow-slide-info"> <h2 class="kh-slideshow-slide-title">The Respiratory System</h2> <p>To pull air into the body (and push it out again), the body uses a strong muscle just below the lungs called the diaphragm.</p> </div> </div> <div class="kh-slide" id="slideNumber5"> <div class="kh-slideshow-slide-image"> <img src="/content/dam/nemours/shared/images/slideshows/en/respiratory-slideshow/respiratorySystem_slide5.jpg" alt="respiratorySystem_enSS"/> </div> <div class="kh-slideshow-slide-info"> <h2 class="kh-slideshow-slide-title">The Respiratory System</h2> <p>From the trachea, air moves into the lungs through tubes called bronchi. The bronchi lead to smaller tubes called bronchioles, which look like the branches of a tree.</p> </div> </div> <div class="kh-slide" id="slideNumber6"> <div class="kh-slideshow-slide-image"> <img src="/content/dam/nemours/shared/images/slideshows/en/respiratory-slideshow/respiratorySystem_slide6.jpg" alt=""/> </div> <div class="kh-slideshow-slide-info"> <h2 class="kh-slideshow-slide-title">The Respiratory System</h2> <p>At the ends of the bronchioles are tiny sacs called alveoli.</p> </div> </div> <div class="kh-slide" id="slideNumber7"> <div class="kh-slideshow-slide-image"> <img src="/content/dam/nemours/shared/images/slideshows/en/respiratory-slideshow/respiratorySystem_slide7.jpg" alt="respiratorySystem_enSS"/> </div> <div class="kh-slideshow-slide-info"> <h2 class="kh-slideshow-slide-title">The Respiratory System</h2> <p>Oxygen gets into the blood through tiny blood vessels around the alveoli. Red blood cells pick up the oxygen and deliver it to the body's cells.</p> </div> </div> <div class="kh-slide" id="slideNumber8"> <div class="kh-slideshow-slide-image"> <img src="/content/dam/nemours/shared/images/slideshows/en/respiratory-slideshow/respiratorySystem_slide8.jpg" alt="respiratorySystem_enSS"/> </div> <div class="kh-slideshow-slide-info"> <h2 class="kh-slideshow-slide-title">The Respiratory System</h2> <p>When we breathe out, the same thing happens — only in reverse. This is how the body gets rid of carbon dioxide. The blood collects carbon dioxide from all over the body and carries it back to the air in the alveoli.</p> </div> </div> <div class="kh-slide" id="slideNumber9"> <div class="kh-slideshow-slide-image"> <img src="/content/dam/nemours/shared/images/slideshows/en/respiratory-slideshow/respiratorySystem_slide9.jpg" alt="respiratorySystem_enSS"/> </div> <div class="kh-slideshow-slide-info"> <h2 class="kh-slideshow-slide-title">The Respiratory System</h2> <p>From the alveoli, air moves out of the lungs through the bronchioles and bronchi.</p> </div> </div> <div class="kh-slide" id="slideNumber10"> <div class="kh-slideshow-slide-image"> <img src="/content/dam/nemours/shared/images/slideshows/en/respiratory-slideshow/respiratorySystem_slide10.jpg" alt="The Respiratory System - Slide 10"/> </div> <div class="kh-slideshow-slide-info"> <h2 class="kh-slideshow-slide-title">The Respiratory System</h2> <p>Finally, air leaves the body the same way it came in — through the nose or mouth.</p> </div> </div> <div class="kh-slide" id="slideNumber11"> <div class="kh-slideshow-slide-image"> <img src="/content/dam/nemours/shared/images/slideshows/en/respiratory-slideshow/respiratorySystem_slide11.gif" alt="Watch the respiratory system in action."/> </div> <div class="kh-slideshow-slide-info"> <h2 class="kh-slideshow-slide-title">The Respiratory System</h2> <p>Watch the respiratory system in action.</p> </div> </div> <div class="kh-slide" id="slideNumber12"> <div class="kh-slideshow-slide-image"> <img src="/content/dam/nemours/shared/images/slideshows/en/respiratory-slideshow/respiratorySystem_slide12.jpg" alt=""/> </div> <div class="kh-slideshow-slide-info"> <h2 class="kh-slideshow-slide-title">The Respiratory System</h2> <p>This KidsHealth program offers general information, not specific or personalized medical advice. Patients and their families should contact their health care providers for medical advice specific to their situations.</p> </div> </div> <div class="kh-slideshow-MControl"> <div class="kh-slideshow-count"> <span id="slidenumber" class="kh-current-slide-num"></span>/<span id="totalcount"></span> </div> <div class="kh-slideshow-buttons"> <button id="kh-slideshow-prev" aria-label="Go to previous slide"></button> <button id="kh-slideshow-next" aria-label="Go to next slide"></button> </div> </div> <div class="kh-slideshow-footer"> © 2024 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. All rights reserved. </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="rte-image">  <h3>Where Does Air Go?</h3> <p>Air enters the respiratory system through the nose or the mouth, then travels down a pathway to the lungs. In the nostrils, air gets warmed and moistened. Tiny hairs in the nose called <strong>cilia</strong> (SIL-ee-uh) filter out dust and other particles.</p> <p>The nasal cavity and mouth join at the area in the back of the throat called the <strong>pharynx</strong> (FAR-inks). The pharynx is part of two body systems (the respiratory system and <a href="/en/parents/digestive.html">the digestive system</a>) because it carries both air and food.</p> <p>At the bottom of the pharynx, two pipes split off — one for air and one for food. One pipe, the <strong>larynx</strong>, is for air only. It’s also called the voice box because it contains a pair of <strong>vocal cords</strong> that vibrate to make sounds when you talk. (The other pipe is called the esophagus and is the pathway that brings food to the stomach.) A small flap of tissue called the <strong>epiglottis</strong> (eh-pih-GLAH-tus) protects the larynx. When we swallow, the epiglottis covers the larynx to prevent food and liquid from going into the lungs.</p> <p>The <strong>trachea</strong> (windpipe) is the part of the airway that continues below the larynx (LAIR-inks). The walls of the trachea (TRAY-kee-uh) have stiff rings of <script type="text/javascript" id="splatJS_cartilage_T" name="splat" src="/content/kidshealth/us/en/parents/splats/cartilage.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" id="splatDW_cartilage_T">document.write(def_cartilage_T);</script> <noscript class="rs_skip"> cartilage</noscript>to keep it open. The trachea is also lined with cilia, which sweep fluids and foreign particles out of the airway to keep them out of the lungs.</p> <p>Further down, the trachea divides into two tubes (left and right) called <strong>bronchi</strong> (BRAHN-kye). The bronchi connect the trachea to the lungs.</p> <h3>What Happens at the Lungs?</h3> <p>The bronchi branch off into smaller bronchi and even smaller tubes called <strong>bronchioles</strong> (BRAHN-kee-olz). At the end of each bronchiole are tiny air sacs called <strong>alveoli</strong>. This is the place where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide actually happens. Each person has hundreds of millions of alveoli in their lungs. This network of alveoli, bronchioles, and bronchi is known as the <strong>bronchial tree</strong>.</p> <p>The lungs contain elastic tissue so they can inflate and deflate easily. They're covered by a thin lining called the <strong>pleura</strong> (PLUR-uh). The <strong>thorax</strong> (THOR-aks) is the airtight box that houses the bronchial tree, lungs, heart, and other structures. The top and sides of the thorax are formed by the ribs and muscles. These chest walls form a protective cage around the organs in the chest cavity. The bottom of the chest cavity is formed by the diaphragm.</p> <h3>How Does Oxygen Get From the Lungs to the Cells?</h3> <p>Every few seconds, with each inhalation, air fills a large portion of the millions of alveoli. Oxygen moves from the alveoli to the blood through the capillaries (tiny blood vessels) lining the alveolar walls. This process is called <strong>diffusion</strong>. In the bloodstream, oxygen gets picked up by the <script type="text/javascript" id="splatJS_hemoglobin_T" name="splat" src="/content/kidshealth/us/en/parents/splats/hemoglobin.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" id="splatDW_hemoglobin_T">document.write(def_hemoglobin_T);</script> <noscript class="rs_skip"> hemoglobin</noscript>in red blood cells. This oxygen-rich blood then goes to the heart, which pumps it to the body. In tiny capillaries throughout the body, oxygen leaves the hemoglobin and moves into the cells.</p> <h3>How Does Carbon Dioxide Get From the Cells to the Lungs?</h3> <p>As cells do their work, they make carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide moves out of the cells into the capillaries and bloodstream. Blood rich in carbon dioxide travels to the heart, which pumps it to the lungs. Carbon dioxide goes from the capillaries around the alveoli into the alveoli. Then carbon dioxide goes up the bronchioles to the bronchi, and then to the trachea to be exhaled.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div id="reviewerBox"> <div id="reviewedBy"><strong>Medically reviewed by: </strong><a href="https://www.nemours.org/about/kidshealth-medical-editors.html" class="vcard-link" target="_blank">Larissa Hirsch, MD</a> </div> <div id="reviewedDate">Date reviewed: July 2022</div> </div> <span class="ISI_MESSAGE">  </span> </div> <div id="khcontent_article_aside" class="khRight"> <div> <aside aria-labelledby="moreOnThisTopicHeader"> <div id="kh-mott-box"> <h2 id="moreOnThisTopicHeader" class="JSMott">More on this topic for:</h2> <ul id="kh-mott-tabs" role="tablist" class="JSMott"> <li data-section="parents" role="presentation"><button type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="parents_panel" id="parents_tab" tabindex="0" aria-selected="true" class="kh-mott-active">Parents</button></li> <li data-section="kids" role="presentation"><button type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="kids_panel" id="kids_tab" tabindex="-1" aria-selected="false">Kids</button></li> <li data-section="teens" role="presentation"><button type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="teens_panel" id="teens_tab" tabindex="-1" aria-selected="false">Teens</button></li> </ul> <div id="parents_panel" role="tabpanel" aria-labelledby="parents_tab"> <h2 class="sansJSMott">More on this topic<br/>For Parents</h2> <ul id="kh-mott-parents-links" class="kh-mott-links" style="display: block"> <li> <a href="/en/parents/body-basics.html"> About Body Basics </a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/parents/center/asthma-center.html"> Asthma (Topic Center) </a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/parents/smoking.html"> Kids and Smoking </a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/parents/spirometry.html"> Spirometry </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div id="kids_panel" role="tabpanel" aria-labelledby="kids_tab"> <h2 class="sansJSMott">More on this topic<br/>For Kids</h2> <ul id="kh-mott-kids-links" class="kh-mott-links"> <li> <a href="/en/kids/lungs.html"> Your Lungs & Respiratory System</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/kids/smoking.html"> Smoking Stinks!</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/kids/center/asthma-center.html"> Asthma (Topic Center)</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/kids/rsmovie.html"> How Do the Lungs & Respiratory System Work? (Video)</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/kids/word-bronchoconstriction.html"> What Is Bronchoconstriction?</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/kids/center/htbw-main-page.html"> How the Body Works (Topic Center)</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div id="teens_panel" role="tabpanel" aria-labelledby="teens_tab"> <h2 class="sansJSMott">More on this topic<br/>For Teens</h2> <ul id="kh-mott-teens-links" class="kh-mott-links"> <li> <a href="/en/teens/pneumonia.html"> Pneumonia </a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/teens/smoking.html"> Smoking </a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/teens/lungs.html"> Lungs and Respiratory System </a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/teens/cystic-fibrosis.html"> Cystic Fibrosis </a> </li> </ul> </div> <button id="kh-mott-toggle" data-expanded="false">View more</button> </div> </aside> </div> <aside aria-label="Nemours Message"> <div id="kh-partner-ad" class="rs_skip rs_preserve"> <div class="kh-inline"><iframe title="Partner Message" id="mobad_in_if" src="/content/kidshealth/us/misc/inline_ad.html" style="display: block; border: 0px none;" scrolling="no"> </iframe></div> </div> </aside> </div> </div> <script> shPage = window.location.href; //shPage = '/en/parents/'; shTitle = "Lungs and Respiratory System"; shDesc = ""; //fbID = '87302104747'; //fbID = '1188285045291657'; fbShareLoc = 'https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+shPage; //fbShareLoc = 'https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?app_id='+fbID+'&display=popup&href='+shPage; twShareLoc = 'https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text='+shTitle+'&url='+shPage; pinShareLoc = 'https://pinterest.com/pin-builder/?url='+shPage+'' function fbShare() { window.open(fbShareLoc,'fbPop','width=600,height=400,scrollbars=auto'); } function twShare() { window.open(twShareLoc,'twPop','width=600,height=400,scrollbars=auto'); } function pinShare() { window.open(pinShareLoc,'twPop','width=920,height=480,scrollbars=auto'); } </script> <aside aria-label="Share this page"> <div id="kh-sharing"> <label for="kh-share"> Share: </label> <ul id="kh-share"> <li> <button onclick="fbShare();" class="kh-share kh-facebook"> <span class="srText"> Share to Facebook </span> </button> </li> <li> <button onclick="twShare();" class="kh-share kh-twitter"> <span class="srText"> Share to Twitter </span> </button> </li> <li> <button onclick="pinShare();" class="kh-share kh-pinterest"> <span class="srText"> Share to Pinterest </span> </button> </li> </ul> </div> </aside> </main> <span class="medicalcoding" style="display: none;">/content/kidshealth/misc/medicalcodes/parents/articles/lungs</span> </div> <div class="footer"> <footer> <div id="kh-footer"> <div class="kh-container"> <div id="footerRows" class="container-width"> <div id="footerRow1"> <nav aria-label="site info"> <div id="footer-col1"> <h2 id="col1H" class="footerColumnHeading">Who We Are</h2> <ul id="col1UL" class="footerList"> <li> <a href="/en/parents/about.html">About Us</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div id="footer-col2"> <h2 id="col2H" class="footerColumnHeading">Working With Us</h2> <ul id="col2UL" class="footerList"> <li> <a href="/en/parents/partners.html">Partners</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/parents/editorial-policy.html">Editorial Policy</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/parents/permissions-guidelines.html">Permissions Guidelines</a> </li> <li> <a class="footerNewWindow" href="https://nemours.mediaroom.com/journalist-resources" target="_blank">Media Requests <span class="hideOffScreen">This link will open in a new window</span></a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/parents/general-information/contact-us">Contact Us</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div id="footer-col3"> <h2 id="col3H" class="footerColumnHeading">Legal & Privacy</h2> <ul id="col3UL" class="footerList"> <li> <a href="/en/parents/policy.html">Privacy Policy & Terms of Use</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/parents/nondiscrimination.html">Notice of Nondiscrimination</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div id="footer-col4"> <h2 id="col4H" class="footerColumnHeading">All Categories</h2> <ul id="col4UL" class="footerList"> <li> <a href="/en/parents/all-categories.html">For Parents</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/kids/all-categories.html">For Kids</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/teens/all-categories.html">For Teens</a> </li> </ul> <h2 id="col4bH" class="footerColumnHeading">Wellness Centers</h2> <ul id="col4bUL" class="footerList"> <li> <a href="/en/parents/centers/center.html">For Parents</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/kids/centers/center.html">For Kids</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/teens/centers/center.html">For Teens</a> </li> </ul> </div> </nav> </div> <div id="footerRow2"> <div id="ourSocials"> <ul id="socialRow"> <li id="khFB"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/nemourskidshealth/" target="_blank"><img src="/content/dam/kh-reskin/iconFacebookWhite.svg" alt="Nemours KidsHealth on Facebook"/></a></li> <li id="khX"><a href="https://x.com/nemours" target="_blank"><img src="/content/dam/kh-reskin/iconTwitterWhite.svg" alt="Nemours KidsHealth on X"/></a></li> <li id="khYT"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@NemoursKidsHealth" target="_blank"><img src="/content/dam/kh-reskin/iconYoutubeWhite.svg" alt="Nemours KidsHealth on YouTube"/></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="footerRow3"> <div id="fr3C1"> <div id="footerLogo"> <a href="https://www.nemours.org/?external_id=RE2350803010600" id="kh-nemours-footer-logo" target="_blank"> <img src="/content/dam/kidshealth/logo-nemours_KidsHealth.svg" alt="Nemours"/> </a> </div> </div> <div id="fr3C2"> <div id="kh-footer-text" class="container-width"><p>Note: All information on Nemours® KidsHealth® is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2024. The Nemours Foundation. Nemours Children's Health®, KidsHealth®, and Well Beyond Medicine® are registered trademarks of The Nemours Foundation. All rights reserved. Images sourced by The Nemours Foundation and Getty Images.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="kh-leaderboard-ad"> <aside aria-label="Nemours Message"> <iframe id="mobad_if" title="Mobile Overlay Partner Ad" src="/content/kidshealth/us/misc/ad_mobile_overlay.html" style="display: none; border: 0 none;" scrolling="no"> </iframe> </aside> </div> </div> </footer> <script> $(function() { var thisPage = window.location.pathname; if(thisPage.indexOf('contact')>-1) { // contact page - don't change } else { if(typeof(Storage) !== "undefined") { localStorage.setItem('originurl',thisPage); } } }); </script></div> </div> <script> // Define variables for ReadSpeaker theRSURL = (escape(document.location.href)); rsAudioTitle = document.title.replace(/ |\'|\?/g, "_"); RSLanguage = "en_us"; </script> <script src="//f1-na.readspeaker.com/script/5202/ReadSpeaker.js?pids=embhl"></script> <div id="ariaAnnouncements" aria-live="polite" tabindex="-1" style="visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px;"> </div>  <script type="text/javascript" src="/etc.clientlibs/nitro/clientlibs/clientlib-site.js"></script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Lungs and Respiratory System (for Parents) | Nemours KidsHealth