The pulmonary system functions are to ventilate the alveoli, diffuse gases into an out of the blood, and perfuse the lungs so that the organs and tissues of the body receive blood that is rich in oxygen and low in carbon dioxide. Each component of pulmonary system contributes to one or more of these functions. Ventilation is the mechanical movement of gas or air into and out of the lungs. It is often misnamed respiration, which actually the exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide during cellular metabolism. Respiratory rate is actually the ventilator rate, or the number of times gas is inspired and expired per minute. CO2 is produced by cellular metabolism and the body removes about 10,000 mEq of CO2 per day.
![Picture](/uploads/1/7/3/1/17317476/6548427.png)
This is a image of pulmonary circulation.
Sources: Fishbein, Morris. The New Illustrated Medical and Health Encyclopedia.
New York: H. S. Stuttman, 1970. Print.
New York: H. S. Stuttman, 1970. Print.