Lungs
Anatomy of the Lungs
The lungs are a pair of spongy, air-filled organs located on either side of the chest (thorax). The trachea (windpipe) conducts inhaled air into the lungs through its tubular branches, called bronchi. The bronchi then divide into smaller and smaller branches (bronchioles), finally becoming microscopic.
The lungs are covered by a thin tissue layer called the pleura. A thin layer of fluid acts as a lubricant allowing the lungs to slip smoothly as they expand and contract with each breath.
Lobes
The right lung is larger than the left lung to accommodate the heart, and is made up of three lobes, while the left lung has two. The lobes are made of sponge-like tissue that is surrounded by a membrane called pleura, which separates the lungs from the chest wall.
Function of the Lungs
The primary function of the lungs is to perform gas exchange, which requires a large surface area in contact with the capillaries carrying blood. This is achieved through the creation of millions of tiny sacs called alveoli, which greatly increase the surface area for gas exchange.
Breathing
Breathing is the process that brings oxygen in the air into your lungs and moves oxygen and through your body. Our lungs remove the oxygen and pass it through our bloodstream, where it's sent to our cells. At the same time, waste gases from the cells are passed into the bloodstream and then into the lungs, where they are removed from the body when we exhale.
Diseases of the Lungs
There are many diseases and conditions that can affect the lungs, such as asthma, COPD, lung cancer, pneumonia, and pulmonary embolism. These diseases can affect the structure and function of the lungs, leading to difficulty breathing and other symptoms.