external respiration

noun

: exchange of gases between the external environment and a distributing system of the animal body (such as the lungs of higher vertebrates or the tracheal tubes of insects) or between the alveoli of the lungs and the blood compare internal respiration

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

external respiration

noun

: exchange of gases between the external environment and a distributing system of the animal body (as the lungs of higher vertebrates or the tracheal tubes of insects) or between the alveoli of the lungs and the blood compare internal respiration