Lungs are organs in the chest that provide oxygen to the body and remove carbon dioxide. Let’s dive into this article to know more about its parts and functions. {1}
Each lung has these parts:
– Apex: This is the rounded top part of the lung that sits above the first rib and extends into the neck.
– Base: This is the bottom part of the lung that rests on the diaphragm.
Note: The diaphragm is the thin muscle under the lungs and heart that divides the chest from the belly.
– Lobes (two or three): These are sections of the lung that are separated by fissures.
– Surfaces (three): These are the parts of the lung that face the chest, called costal, mediastinal, and diaphragmatic.
– Borders (three): These are the edges of the lungs, named the front (anterior), bottom (inferior), and back (posterior) edges.
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Structure
- Location: Lungs are located in the chest’s intrathoracic space.
- Surrounding Structures: The space contains the heart, major blood vessels, the windpipe (trachea), and other organs.
- Right Lung:
– Larger
– Comprises three lobes: inferior, middle, and superior
– Identified by grooves
- Left Lung:
– Slightly smaller
– Comprises two lobes, also separated by a groove
- Position:
– The tops of the lungs extend above the first rib.
– The bottoms of the lungs rest on the diaphragm muscle.
- Connection:
– Lungs are connected in the mediastinum.
– The hilum is the entry point for air tubes, blood vessels, and
nerves.
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Function
- Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Exchange:
Lungs provide oxygen to the body and remove carbon dioxide. This happens 12 to 20 times per minute.
- Breathing Process:
- Air enters through the nose or mouth.
- It travels down the pharynx (throat) to the larynx (voice box).
- It moves into the trachea (windpipe).
- Trachea and Bronchial Tubes:
- The trachea splits into two bronchial tubes, one for each lung (left and right).
- Airway must be open and clear of inflammation or excess mucus for lungs to function well.
- Bronchi and Alveoli:
- Bronchial tubes lead to smaller passages called bronchi and then bronchioles.
- Bronchioles end in alveoli, tiny air sacs that transfer oxygen to the blood, looking like small clusters of fruit.
- Oxygen Transport:
- Oxygen-rich blood leaves the lungs and goes to the heart.
- The heart pumps oxygen throughout the body to tissues and organs.
- Carbon Dioxide Removal:
- Cells use oxygen and produce carbon dioxide.
- Carbon dioxide enters the blood and is transported back to the lungs.
- When you exhale, you release this carbon dioxide.
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Resources:
- Definition of lung – NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms – NCI
- Lungs Diagram – Human Lungs Anatomy (byjus.com)
- The Lungs – Position – Structure – TeachMeAnatomy
- Definition of diaphragm – NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms – NCI
- Lungs: Location, Anatomy, Function HYPERLINK “https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/8960-lungs”& HYPERLINK “https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/8960-lungs” Complications (clevelandclinic.org)
