What term describes the process of breathing out?

The term that describes the process of breathing out is expiration. During expiration, air is expelled from the lungs, allowing for the removal of carbon dioxide from the body. This process is a crucial part of the respiratory cycle, which includes both inhalation (taking in air) and exhalation (breathing out).

In contrast, inspiration refers to the act of drawing air into the lungs. Ventilation encompasses both inspiration and expiration as it describes the overall process of moving air in and out of the lungs. Diffusion, on the other hand, is the movement of gases (like oxygen and carbon dioxide) across membranes, such as the alveoli in the lungs, but it does not specifically refer to the act of exhaling. Understanding these terms is essential for anyone studying respiratory physiology or working in physical therapy, as they are fundamental to how the body exchanges gases during the breathing process.