What is the medical term for breathing? Understanding Respiration and its Function

October 1, 2025 •

4 min read

The average adult takes between 12 and 20 breaths per minute at rest, a process that is often taken for granted. This vital, involuntary action has a specific name in the medical field, and understanding what is the medical term for breathing? requires exploring the broader process known as respiration. Respiration is a complex physiological process that is far more detailed than the simple movement of air.

Quick Summary

The medical term for breathing is respiration, a process divided into inhalation and exhalation. While breathing is the mechanical movement of air, respiration encompasses the gas exchange within the lungs and tissues. The respiratory system's health is reflected in various breathing patterns, from normal eupnea to abnormal conditions like dyspnea and apnea.

Key Points

Respiration is the medical term for breathing: The act of breathing is medically referred to as respiration, which includes the processes of inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide.
Inhalation and Exhalation: Respiration involves two main phases: inhalation (drawing air into the lungs) and exhalation (expelling air from the lungs).
Respiration vs. Ventilation: In medicine, ventilation is the mechanical movement of air, while respiration is the broader gas exchange at the lung (external) and tissue (internal) levels.
Eupnea is normal breathing: The normal, relaxed, and unlabored breathing pattern is called eupnea.
Common abnormal breathing terms: Words like dyspnea (difficult breathing), tachypnea (fast breathing), and apnea (no breathing) describe various abnormal breathing patterns.
Breathing is controlled by the brainstem: The process of breathing is primarily regulated involuntarily by respiratory centers in the brainstem, which respond to carbon dioxide levels in the blood.

The Core Concept: Respiration vs. Ventilation

While many use "breathing" and "respiration" interchangeably, there is a key distinction in the medical field. Respiration refers to the entire process of gas exchange, which occurs both externally and internally. Ventilation, on the other hand, is the mechanical aspect—the physical movement of air into and out of the lungs. Without proper ventilation, respiration cannot occur effectively.

The Mechanics of Ventilation: Inhalation and Exhalation

Ventilation is driven by the respiratory muscles, primarily the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles. It is a two-phase process:

Inhalation (Inspiration): The diaphragm contracts and moves downward, and the intercostal muscles pull the rib cage upward and outward. This increases the volume of the chest cavity, creating a negative pressure that draws air into the lungs.
Exhalation (Expiration): At rest, this is largely a passive process. The diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax, causing the chest cavity to decrease in size. The elastic recoil of the lungs then pushes air out. During forced breathing, accessory muscles may be used to aid this process.

External and Internal Respiration

The overall process of respiration is further broken down into two components:

External Respiration: This is the exchange of gases between the alveoli (tiny air sacs in the lungs) and the pulmonary capillaries. Oxygen from the inhaled air diffuses into the blood, while carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood into the alveoli to be exhaled.
Internal Respiration: This is the exchange of gases between the systemic capillaries and the body's tissues and cells. Oxygen is released from the blood into the cells for metabolic processes, and carbon dioxide, a waste product, is picked up by the blood to be transported back to the lungs.

The Body's Control Center

Breathing is mostly an involuntary process regulated by the respiratory centers located in the brainstem, specifically the medulla oblongata and pons. These centers monitor the levels of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the blood through chemoreceptors and adjust the respiratory rate and depth accordingly. The concentration of carbon dioxide is the primary driver for breathing, not oxygen, as high CO2 levels in the blood can be toxic. While mostly automatic, breathing can also be consciously controlled, for example, when you hold your breath or sing.

Normal and Abnormal Breathing Patterns

Medical professionals use specific terms to describe different types of breathing patterns, both normal and abnormal. Deviations from the normal pattern can indicate underlying health issues.


Medical Term	Description	Common Causes	Clinical Significance
Eupnea	Normal, quiet, unlabored breathing.	Healthy physiological state at rest.	Normal baseline for respiratory function.
Tachypnea	Abnormally rapid breathing.	Exercise, fever, anxiety, respiratory infections like pneumonia.	Can indicate respiratory distress or infection.
Bradypnea	Abnormally slow breathing.	Sedatives, drug overdose, head injury, neurological trauma.	Often requires immediate medical attention as ventilatory needs may not be met.
Dyspnea	Difficult or labored breathing; shortness of breath.	Asthma, heart failure, anxiety attacks.	Subjective feeling; requires clinical assessment to determine cause.
Apnea	Temporary cessation of breathing.	Sleep apnea, drug overdose.	Can be a sign of sleep disorders or severe respiratory issues.
Hyperpnea	Increased depth and rate of breathing, typically linked to metabolic demands.	Exercise, high altitude adjustment.	A physiological response to demand, unlike hyperventilation.
Cheyne-Stokes	Cyclical pattern of gradually increasing then decreasing depth of breathing, followed by a period of apnea.	Heart failure, brain injuries.	Can be observed in terminally ill patients.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While mild breathing difficulty may be normal, such as after strenuous exercise, sudden or severe changes in breathing should be addressed by a healthcare professional. Signs like sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, or wheezing may indicate a serious problem. Chronic breathing problems, such as persistent dyspnea, also warrant medical evaluation. Diagnosing the root cause may involve blood tests (including arterial blood gases), chest X-rays, or pulmonary function tests.

Conclusion

In summary, while the common word for breathing is widely understood, the official medical term is respiration. This term accurately describes the intricate physiological process of gas exchange that sustains life, from the mechanical act of moving air (ventilation) to the cellular-level exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Being aware of the correct terminology, as well as the medical names for various breathing patterns, is crucial for both healthcare professionals and individuals in understanding the signs and symptoms related to respiratory health. For more on respiratory assessments in a clinical context, see the NCBI Bookshelf on Nursing Skills.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for any health concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

The medical term for breathing is respiration. This encompasses both the physical movement of air (ventilation) and the exchange of gases that happens in the lungs and tissues.

Ventilation is the mechanical process of moving air in and out of the lungs. Respiration, however, refers to the physiological process of gas exchange, which includes external respiration (in the lungs) and internal respiration (in the body's tissues).

The medical term for difficult or labored breathing is dyspnea. It is often described by patients as shortness of breath and can be a symptom of various underlying health conditions.

The medical term for abnormally rapid breathing is tachypnea. It can be a physiological response to exercise or a sign of an underlying issue like a respiratory infection or anxiety.

The medical term for the temporary cessation of breathing is apnea. A common example is sleep apnea, where a person stops and restarts breathing repeatedly while sleeping.

The two main phases of ventilation are inhalation (also called inspiration), which is the act of breathing in, and exhalation (or expiration), which is the act of breathing out.

The medical term for normal, quiet, and unlabored breathing is eupnea. It is the baseline for healthy respiratory function.