Praise for the previous edition:

"...well-developed...clear and detailed...useful at the secondary level in health and anatomy classes and for research...Recommended."—Library Media Connection

Breathing is essential to human survival, as it gives us the necessary oxygen we need to live. Yet the act of respiration is an involuntary process, something many people do not think about on a day-to-day basis. The Respiratory System, Third Edition explains how we get air into our lungs, how our bodies use that air, and the fundamental physical and biological principles underlying respiratory function. In addition, this essential title examines several respiratory diseases and how they affect the body as a whole. Packed with full-color photographs and illustrations, this absorbing book provides students with sufficient background information through references, websites, and suggested reading for further study.