Pulmonary ventilation is the process by which oxygen enters and carbon dioxide exits the alveoli, respiration is the process by which oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse in and out of the blood. Respiration is also referred to as gas exchange, and it occurs in two areas of the body. External respiration refers to gas exchange across the respiratory membrane in the lungs. Internal respiration refers to gas exchange across the respiratory membrane in the metabolizing tissues, like skeletal muscles.