Illustration copyright 2000 by Nucleus Communications,
Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.nucleusinc.com
In the lungs, oxygen and carbon dioxide (a waste product of body processes) are exchanged in the tiny air sacs (alveoli) at the end of the
bronchial tubes. The alveoli are surrounded by capillaries. When a person inhales,
oxygen moves from the alveoli to the surrounding capillaries and into the
bloodstream. At the same time, carbon dioxide moves from the bloodstream to the
capillaries and into the alveoli. The carbon dioxide is removed from the lungs
when a person exhales.
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By
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Healthwise Staff |
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Primary Medical Reviewer
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E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
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Specialist Medical Reviewer
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Ken Y. Yoneda, MD - Pulmonology |
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Last Revised
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November 29, 2011 |