What are the two phases of breathing referred to collectively?

The two phases of breathing are referred to collectively as the respiratory cycle. This term encompasses both inhalation, or inspiration, when air is drawn into the lungs, and exhalation, or expiration, when air is expelled from the lungs. Understanding this cycle is crucial for recognizing how gas exchange occurs in the lungs and maintaining proper respiratory function.

The term reflects the continuous nature of breathing, highlighting its rhythmic pattern essential for sustaining life. In contrast, terms like cardiac cycle refer specifically to the sequence of events in the heart, while pulmonary function typically pertains to the measurements and capacities of lung function rather than the phases of breathing itself. The ventilation process could be confused as the act of breathing but does not specifically denote the phases involved.