Breathtaking Lungs: Their Function and Anatomy

Overview
The lungs are the center of the respiratory (breathing) system.
Every cell of the body needs oxygen to stay alive and healthy. Your body also needs to
get rid of carbon dioxide. This gas is a waste product that is made by the cells during
their normal, everyday functions. Your lungs are specially designed to exchange these
gases every time you breathe in and out.

Let’s take a closer look at this complex system.

Lung anatomy
This spongy, pinkish organ looks like two upside-down cones in your chest. The right
lung is made up of three lobes. The left lung has only two lobes to make room for your
heart.

Bronchial tree
The lungs begin at the bottom of your trachea (windpipe). The trachea is a tube that
carries the air in and out of your lungs. Each lung has a tube called a bronchus that
connects to the trachea. The trachea and bronchi airways form an upside-down “Y” in
your chest. This “Y” is often called the bronchial tree.

The bronchi branch off into smaller bronchi and even smaller tubes called bronchioles.
Like the branches of a tree, these tiny tubes stretch out into every part of your lungs.
Some of them are so tiny that they have the thickness of a hair. You have almost
30,000 bronchioles in each lung.

Each bronchiole tube ends with a cluster of small air sacs called alveoli (individually
referred to as alveolus). They look like tiny grape bunches or very tiny balloons. There
are about 600 million alveoli in your lungs. The small bubble shapes of the alveoli give
your lungs a surprising amount of surface area — equivalent to the size of a tennis
court. This means there’s plenty of room for vital oxygen to pass into your body.

SUMMARY Each lung is divided into lobes. The bronchial tree running through your
lungs is made up of the windpipe, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli.

The respiratory system

The lungs are the main part of the respiratory system. This system is divided into the
upper respiratory tract and the lower respiratory tract.

The upper respiratory tract includes the:

 Mouth and nose. Air enters and leaves the lungs through the mouth and nostrils
of the nose.
 Nasal cavity. Air passes from the nose into the nasal cavity, and then the lungs.
  Throat (pharynx). Air from the mouth is sent to the lungs via the throat.
 Voice box (larynx). This part of the throat helps air to pass into the lungs and
keeps out food and drink.

The lower respiratory tract is made up of the:

 lungs
 trachea (windpipe)
 bronchi
 bronchioles
 alveoli

Other parts of the respiratory system help your lungs to expand and contract as you
breathe. These include the ribs around the lungs and the dome-shaped diaphragm
muscle below them.

3-D model of the lungs

The lungs are surrounded by your sternum (chest bone) and ribcage on the front and
the vertebrae (backbones) on the back. This bony cage helps to protect the lungs and
other organs in your chest.

How your lungs work

WHAT IS RESPIRATION? Respiration is made up of two phases called inspiration and

expiration: You inhale (breathe in) oxygen during inspiration. You exhale (breathe out)
carbon dioxide during expiration.

The pathway of a breath

When you breathe, air enters through your mouth and nose and travels:
 down the throat into the trachea
 into the lungs through the right and left main bronchi
 into the smaller bronchi airways
 into the even smaller bronchiole tubes
 into the alveoli

Each alveolus is covered by a net of tiny blood vessels called capillaries. Oxygen and
carbon dioxide exchange happens here. Your heart sends deoxygenated blood to the
lungs. This is blood that is carrying carbon dioxide rather than oxygen.

As the blood passes through the tiny, thin-walled capillaries, they get oxygen from the
alveoli. They return carbon dioxide through the thin walls to the alveoli.

The oxygen-rich blood from your lungs is sent back to your heart, where it’s pumped to
your entire body. The carbon dioxide is breathed out of the lungs and alveoli through
your mouth and nose.
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How your lungs stay healthy
The alveoli stay partly inflated like a balloon even when you exhale air. Your lungs make
a fluid called surfactant to help them stay open. Surfactant also contains fatty proteins
that help keep the lungs healthy.

Your lungs are self-cleaning.

They make mucus to trap germs and particles. The mucus is then swept up by cilia,
small hairs that line the airways. Normally, you swallow this mucus without noticing. If
you have a respiratory illness, your lungs may make too much mucus.

The alveoli also contain immune cells called macrophages. These cells “eat” germs and
irritants before they can cause an infection in your lungs.

Lung disorders and illnesses

A respiratory disorder may be temporary or chronic (long term). Some types may lead
to, or be a sign of, lung disease. Common lung conditions include:
Asthma

Asthma is the most common chronic lung condition. Allergic asthma typically begins in

childhood. Asthma attacks happen when the airways tighten and narrow, slowing down
air flow. The lungs also become swollen and inflamed.

Asthma can be triggered by an allergic reaction, pollution, exercise, other respiratory

illness, and cold air.

Bronchitis
This chest infection happens in the main airways, the bronchi. It may be due to a viral or
bacterial infection.

Acute bronchitis happens suddenly and can sometimes spread into the lungs from an
upper respiratory tract infection, such as a common cold.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

This condition is also known as chronic bronchitis or emphysema. COPD gets worse
over time. It may be caused by smoking, air pollution, chemicals, or a genetic condition.
COPD often leads to disability and is the fourth most common cause of deathTrusted
Source in the U.S.
Pneumonia
This is a chest infection deep in the bronchioles and alveoli. Pus and mucus can build
up, and the lungs may swell. This makes it difficult to breathe. Pneumonia can happen
to anyone. Young children, the elderly, smokers, and people who are ill are at higher
risk.

Tuberculosis (TB)
This bacterial infection is spread through air droplets from coughs and sneezes. It’s
difficult to become infected. Tuberculosis can be serious and lead to lung scarring. It
may also stay in the body without causing symptoms or spread to other parts of the
body.

Causes of lung disorders and illnesses

Respiratory or lung disorders can make it difficult to breathe. They are a common
reason for doctor visits in most countries.

You can get a respiratory illness due to:

 bacteria
 viruses
 mold (fungus)
 polluted air
 chemicals
 stagnant indoor air
 cigarette, tobacco, or shisha smoke
 secondhand smoke
 allergies, such as:
o pollen
o dust
o food allergens (dairy, nuts, seafood, etc.)
o pet dander and fur
o insect waste (such as from dust mites)

Symptoms to see a doctor about

See your doctor if you experience severe lung symptoms. According to the American
Lung Association, warning signs of lung disease include:
 chronic cough that lasts for a month or longer
 shortness of breath after little or no exertion
 wheezing or noisy breathing
 chronic mucus or sputum in your lungs that lasts for a month or longer
 chronic chest pain that lasts for a month or longer
 coughing up blood

Lung function tests

If you have a respiratory disorder, you may need tests to see how well your lungs are
working. They also help to diagnose chronic lung illness. Some of these tests are
routine for people with chronic illness such as asthma. Common lung function tests and
scans include:

 Arterial blood gas tests. This test measures blood oxygen levels. You will need
a blood test, which requires blood to be drawn. The blood sample is sent to a lab
to measure the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in it.

 Blood test. A blood test checks for a bacterial or viral infection. It also checks
your white blood cell count. A high count may mean that you have an infection
.
 Chest X-ray. This helps your doctor to see how healthy your lungs are. An X-ray
will show areas of the lung that are clogged up or scarred. Your doctor may also
recommend other types of lung scans.

 Exhaled nitric oxide test. Nitric oxide helps to relax blood vessels and airways.
This increases blood flow to your lungs, improving oxygen levels. Nitric oxide
levels can show if certain medications will treat your asthma. You will need to
breathe into a tube for this test.

 Lung diffusion capacity. This checks how well oxygen is passed from your
lungs to your blood. For this test, you may need to breathe into a tube. You may
also need a blood test.

 Pulse oximetry. This simple test measures the oxygen levels in your blood. A
probe is put over your finger or on your skin. Blood oxygen levels show how well
your lungs work.

 Spirometry. This test measures the air flow into your lungs. It involves breathing
into a tube several times. A marker or computer shows the how fast air is flowing
and approximate lung volume.

 Sputum (spit) or mucus sample. Your doctor may take a swab of your mouth
or throat. The sample is sent to a lab to check to see if you have a bacterial or
viral infection in the throat or lungs.

Lung treatments

If you have a respiratory illness, your doctor may prescribe several types of treatment.
These depend on the cause of your lung disorder.

Treatments for respiratory conditions like COPD, asthma, and pneumonia often
include breathing treatments and conditioning. COPD treatments might also include
medications and lifestyle changes.
Some treatments for respiratory issues include:

 antibiotics for a bacterial infection such as tuberculosis

 anti-viral medications for a viral infection such as viral pneumonia
 anti-fungal medications for a mold or fungal infection
 anti-inflammatory medications, such as steroids for asthma and severe
allergies
 inhaled bronchodilators to help temporarily open airways in those with asthma
or COPD
 immune system medications, such as anti-IgE and leukotriene modifier drugs
 heart burn (GERD) drugs can help treat asthma symptoms
 synthetic surfactant drugs to help the alveoli stay open
 other medications for asthma, such as beta-agonists and anticholinergics

Tips for healthy lungs

While your body has a built-in system to keep your lungs healthy, there are several
important things you can do every day to help reduce your risk of lung disease or to
ease symptoms:

 Avoid secondhand smoke.

 Avoid the outdoors when there are high levels of air pollution or pollen.
 Brush your teeth at least twice daily, and see your dentist regularly to help
prevent mouth infections.
 Carry an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
 Check your home for mold.
 Consider using an air purifier indoors to reduce air pollution from dust, pet
dander, and chemicals.
 Don’t chew tobacco.
 Don’t smoke.
 Get regular aerobic exercise, such as walking and jogging, to help improve your
lung capacity.
 Get vaccinated against the flu and pneumonia, especially if you have asthma.
 If you’re traveling abroad, talk to a doctor about getting recommended
vaccinations.
 See a doctor regularly to get health checkups.
 Test your home for radon.
 Wash your hands with soap and water several times a day.

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