Skip to main content

How your lungs work

Breathing

Breathing is something that we all do without usually realizing it. We breathe in and out about 22,000 times a day. 

How Your Lungs Work.

Your lungs bring fresh oxygen into your body. They remove the carbon dioxide and other waste gases that your body's doesn't need.

Respiratory system


This chart of the RESPIRATORY SYSTEM shows how you breathe. 

Breathing is the process that brings  oxygen in the air into your lungs and moves oxygen and through your body. Our lungs remove the oxygen and pass it through our bloodstream, where it's carried off to the tissues and organs that allow us to walk, talk, and move.
Our lungs also take carbon dioxide from our blood and release it into the air when we breathe out. 

The Impact of Lung Disease

The burden of lung disease is heavy in Canada. In particular, lung cancer, asthma and COPD exact an enormous human and economic toll. In 2014, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women, causing more cancer deaths among Canadians than breast, colorectal and prostate cancer combined.

Lung Statistics

Here you can find general statistics and information about lung health. If you’re doing research and need more information, you can visit an academic, hospital, or government library.