Function of lungs

[ "article:topic", "pleural cavity", "cardiac notch", "pulmonary artery", "visceral pleura", "pulmonary plexus", "pleural fluid", "parietal pleura", "lung", "hilum", "bronchodilation", "bronchoconstriction", "license:ccby", "showtoc:no", "source[1]-med-780", "source[2]-med-780", "program:oeri", "authorname:humananatomyoeri" ] \( \newcommand\) • • • • • • • • • • • By the end of this section, you will be able to: • Describe the overall function of the lungs • Outline the anatomy of the blood supply to the lungs • Describe the pleurae of the lungs and their function A major organ of the respiratory system, each lung houses structures of both the conducting and respiratory zones. The main function of the lungs is to perform the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide with air from the atmosphere. To this end, the lungs exchange respiratory gases across a very large epithelial surface area—about 70 square meters—that is highly permeable to gases. Gross Anatomy of the Lungs The lungs are pyramid-shaped, paired organs that are connected to the trachea by the right and left bronchi; on the inferior surface, the lungs are bordered by the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the flat, dome-shaped muscle located at the base of the lungs and thoracic cavity. The lungs are enclosed by the pleurae, which are attached to the mediastinum. The right lung is shorter and wider than the left lung, and the left lung occupies a smaller volume than the right. The cardiac notch is an indentation on the med...

Synonyms: pulmonary arteries, Arteriae pulmonales The pulmonary arteries and the pulmonary veins are the vessels of the pulmonary circulation; which means they are responsible for carrying the oxygenated blood to the The pulmonary circulation is different than systemic in context that within the pulmonary circulation veins carry oxygenated blood, whereas the arteries carry deoxygenated blood. The difference originates from the fact that every blood vessel that transports the blood from the periphery to the heart is a vein, whereas the vessel that transports the blood from the heart to the periphery is an artery. Key facts Pulmonary arteries Right ventricle -> pulmonary trunk -> right and left pulmonary arteries Purpose: deliver deoxygenated blood to the respective lung Pulmonary veins Lung capillaries -> 4 pulmonary veins (2 from each lung) -> left atrium Purpose: deliver oxygenated blood to the left ventricle which will distribute it to the body Clinical relations Pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, pulmonary embolism, hypoxia In this article, we are going to discuss the gross and microscopic anatomy, structure, and function of the pulmonary vessels along with some high-yield clinical notes. On the other hand, pulmonary veins are large blood vessels that receive oxygenated blood from the lungs to delivery to the rest of the body. There are 4 total pulmonary veins—with 2 pulmonary veins coming from each lung, left and right—that empty into the left atrium of the ...

What Is the Respiratory System? The respiratory system is the organs and other parts of your body involved in breathing, when you exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. Parts of the Respiratory System Your respiratory system includes your: • Nose and nasal cavity • Sinuses • Mouth • Throat (pharynx) • Voice box (larynx) • Windpipe (trachea) • Diaphragm • Lungs • Bronchial tubes/bronchi • Bronchioles • Air sacs (alveoli) • Capillaries How Do We Breathe? Breathing starts when you inhale air into your nose or For your As the bronchial tubes pass through your lungs, they divide into smaller air passages called bronchioles. The bronchioles end in tiny balloon-like air sacs called alveoli. Your body has about 600 million alveoli. The alveoli are surrounded by a mesh of tiny After absorbing oxygen, blood goes to your As the cells use the oxygen, they make carbon dioxide that goes into your blood. Your blood then carries the carbon dioxide back to your lungs, where it’s removed from your body when you exhale. Inhalation and Exhalation Inhalation and exhalation are how your body brings in oxygen and gets rid of carbon dioxide. The process gets help from a large dome-shaped muscle under your lungs called the diaphragm. When you breathe in, your diaphragm pulls downward, creating a vacuum that causes a rush of air into your lungs. The opposite happens with exhalation: Your diaphragm relaxes upward, pushing on your lungs, allowing them to deflate. How Does the Respiratory System Clean th...

The trachea is a tube-like structure in the neck and upper chest. It stretches from the larynx, or voice box, to the bronchi and transports air to and from the lungs when a person breathes. When a person inhales, air travels through the nose or mouth, down the trachea, and into the lungs. When the lungs expel the air, it travels back up the trachea and out through the mouth or nose. Keep reading for more information about what the trachea is, what it does, and which health conditions can affect it. Share on Pinterest The trachea is a hollow, tube-like structure that runs from the larynx, or voice box, to the bronchi — the two passageways that connect the trachea to the lungs. The average length of the trachea is about A mucous membrane, similar to those in the nasal cavity, lines the interior of the trachea. Cells in this membrane, called goblet cells, release mucus to help prevent microorganisms and debris from entering the lungs. The trachea is also lined with tiny hair-like structures called cilia. These help push mucus that contains debris or pathogens out of the trachea. A person then either swallows or spits out the mucus. Soft tissue makes up most of the trachea, and cartilage provides extra support. The trachea runs parallel to the esophagus and lies just in front of it. The back of the trachea is softer to allow the esophagus to expand when a person is eating. Due to their proximity, a small piece of cartilage in the larynx automatically covers the opening of the ...

The bronchi are the two large tubes that carry air from your windpipe to your lungs. You have a left and right main bronchus in each lung. After the main bronchi, these tubes branch out into segments that look like tree branches. Many respiratory conditions, such as asthma or bronchitis, can affect your bronchi. Overview What are the bronchi? Your bronchi (BRAWN-kai) are the large tubes that connect to your trachea (windpipe) and direct the air you breathe to your right and left What is the tracheobronchial tree? The bronchi are part of the tracheobronchial tree. The tracheobronchial tree is where air passes to your lungs and exchanges gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide). The tracheobronchial tree includes your: • Trachea, which starts in your neck. • Bronchi. • Bronchioles (BRAWN-key-ols), the lower portion of your bronchi. Function What is your bronchi’s function? Your bronchi carry air to and from your lungs. The bronchi also help moisturize the air you breathe and screen out foreign particles. Your airways are lined with cells that create mucus. The mucus keeps your airways moist. It also traps bacteria, viruses, fungi and other particles to protect your lungs and prevent infection. The bronchi are lined with cilia, tiny hairlike structures. The cilia help move mucus (phlegm) and particles out of your lungs. When you cough or swallow, the particles trapped in the mucus move out of your body or into your digestive tract, where your body can dispose of them. How do your br...

• Cilia: These tiny finger-like projections line the bronchioles and work to move debris and germs out of the airways. The number of cilia in the airway decreases as the bronchioles branch off and get smaller and smaller. • Club cells: These cells in the lining of the bronchioles secrete surfactants, substances that reduce surface tension within airways. This allows the airways to expand during inhalation, preventing them from collapsing during exhalation. Club cells also secrete enzymes that break down debris and irritants so that they can be readily excreted from the lung. • Excessive or prolonged exposure to toxins such as ammonia, chlorine, formaldehyde, sulfur dioxide, nicotine, diacetyl (used in butter flavoring), and acetaldehyde (found in e-cigarettes) • Organ transplants • Prolonged inhalation of fiberglass particles or fly ash from coal • • Viral lung infections, including • • Lung volume test: Also known as lung plethysmography, this test measures how much air you can hold in your lungs and the amount of air that remains after you breathe out as much as you can. It can help tell the difference between obstructive and restrictive lung diseases. • Gas diffusion test: This type of testing measures how well you are able to pass oxygen from the air sacs in the lungs to the bloodstream. Conditions that can lead to abnormal results include asthma, emphysema, sarcoidosis, and inflammation of the lungs. Treatment The course and duration of treatment can vary based on whe...

The posterior wall of the trachea is not covered by cartilage and is composed of connective tissue and smooth muscle. The muscle will flex and expand when needed, to change the diameter of the trachea. The trachea ends at the carina, a ridge of cartilage that separates and forms the junction into the bronchi. The trachea is traversed by a network of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. Blood vessels provide the tissues with oxygen and nutrients and regulate the exchange of heat within the airway. The lymphatic vessels help remove infectious microbes on the surface of the wall of the trachea so they can be isolated and neutralized by the immune system. Most particles that enter the airway are trapped in the thin layer of mucus on the trachea walls. These are then moved upwards toward the mouth by cilia, where they can be coughed up or swallowed. The U-shaped sections of cartilage that line the trachea are flexible and can close and open slightly as the trachealis muscle at the back of the rings contracts and relaxes. Subtle contractions of the trachea occur involuntarily as part of normal respiration. Choking Coughing is the body's way to remove foreign substances from the throat, trachea, or lungs. If an object cannot be dislodged from the trachea, choking can occur. Severe choking can prevent oxygen from getting into the lungs, which may lead to syncope (fainting), asphyxiation (suffocation), or death. Tracheomalacia Tracheomalacia is an uncommon condition in which the tr...

The lungs are a major organ that is part of the respiratory system, taking in fresh air and getting rid of old, stale air. This mechanism of breathing also helps to allow you to talk. By taking in fresh air, the lungs are able to help oxygenate blood to be carried around your body. This is done by inhaling the air and bringing it in toward the SCIEPRO/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY Anatomy Structure There are two lungs (a right and left) in the body, but they are different sizes. The right lung is bigger and is divided into three lobes (separated by fissures), while the left lobe is smaller consisting of two lobes. The left lobe is also smaller as it has to make room for the heart. The left and right lungs are suspended by the lung root and separated by a mediastinum; it acts as a membrane partition between the two. Each lung has three surfaces, named after their location in the thorax. They are the mediastinal surface, diaphragmatic surface, and costal surface. Lungs are protected by pleura, a thin layer of tissue that provides cushion and a small amount of fluid to help the lungs breathe smoothly. Looking at the lungs from the front they lie right above the collarbone and go halfway down the rib cage, although the back of the lungs are slightly longer, ending just above the last rib, while the pleura extends down the entirety of the rib cage. Together with your heart, the lungs take up almost the entire width of the rib cage. While these anatomical variations are common and often...

Overview There are several different types of epithelial cells based on their shape and arrangement. What is the epithelium? The epithelium is a type of body tissue that forms the covering on all internal and external surfaces of your body, lines body cavities and hollow organs and is the major tissue in glands. Epithelial tissue has a variety of functions depending on where it’s located in your body, including protection, secretion and absorption. The organs in your body are composed of four basic types of tissue, including: • Epithelial. • Connective. • Muscular. • Nervous. All substances that enter or leave an organ must cross the epithelial tissue first. You have many different kinds of epithelial tissue throughout your body. Some examples of epithelial tissue include: • The outer layer of your skin (epidermis). • The lining of your intestines. • The lining of your respiratory tract. • The lining of your abdominal cavity. • Your sweat glands. What are epithelial cells? Epithelial tissue is made up of epithelial cells. The cells can be different shapes and can be arranged in a single layer or multiple layers depending on where they are in your body and what kind of functions they have. In biology, a cell is the smallest unit that can live on its own. Cells make up all living organisms and the tissues of your body. More than 30 trillion cells make up your body. A cell has three main parts: • The cell membrane: The cell membrane surrounds the cell and controls the substan...

Bronchi are the main airways into the lungs. Bronchi is the plural form of bronchus. Air enters your body through your mouth or nose and it passes through the larynx and trachea. The trachea, also called the windpipe, branches into a bronchus in each lung. The bronchi then branch out again and become smaller and smaller passageways until they end in tiny air sacs called alveoli. The structure of the trachea and the bronchi together are called the Bronchi branch out throughout both lungs. The right lung, which has one additional lobe, has more bronchi than the left lung. Healthy bronchi keep you breathing as expected. If bronchi become infected or inflamed, you may experience difficulties with breathing, mucus buildup, or other issues. When you take a breath through your nose or mouth, air travels into the larynx. Then, the air passes through the trachea, which carries the air to the left and right main bronchus. The main bronchi branch out and become narrower the closer they get to the lung tissue. The smallest bronchi branches are called bronchioles. These passageways evolve into alveoli, which is the site of Beyond moving air throughout your lungs, the bronchi are responsible for protecting your lungs from possible infection or injury. Mucus cells lining the bronchi moisturize the air as it enters your lungs. The mucus can capture foreign particles, including: • viruses • bacteria • fungi • bits of dust and debris Bronchi are also lined with tiny hair-like structures cal...