Diagram of the respiratory system and the heart mouse mat

The heart and major vessels Copyright: MedicalRF.com The respiratory system is the anatomical system of an organism that introduces respiratory gases to the interior and performs gas exchange . In humans and other mammals , the anatomical features of the respiratory system include airways, lungs , and the respiratory muscles. Molecules of oxygen and carbon dioxide are passively exchanged, by diffusion , between the gaseous external environment and the blood . This exchange process occurs in the alveolar region of the lungs. Other animals, such as insects , have respiratory systems with very simple anatomical features, and in amphibians even the skin plays a vital role in gas exchange . Plants also have respiratory systems but the directionality of gas exchange can be opposite to that in animals. The respiratory system in plants also includes anatomical features such as holes on the undersides of leaves known as stomata . This page is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, anyone associated with the topic.