The respiratory system refers to the organs which supply the airstream necessary for the production of most of the sounds of a language (Brosnahan & Malmberg, 1976, p.29). These organs are the lungs, the bronchial tubes, the trachea or windpipe, the diaphragm, the rib cages, and various muscles which help move air through the system (See Figure 3.3)
The lungs serve the purpose of breathing. They transfer oxygen to the blood and to the muscles, and remove impurities. They are like large sponges filled with air when we breathe in, or emptied of it when we breathe out. They are enclosed within the rib cage and are attached at the bottom by the diaphragm.
The lungs are the basic source of air for nearly all speech sounds. Most sounds of all languages are made with the breath going out from the lungs through the bronchial tubes and the trachea. The action of the ribs and the diaphragm causes the expansion and contracts and lowers, the lings expand outwards. This action causes air to flow into the air passage. It is called the inspiration or breathing in. The process is reversed in expiration when we breathe out