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The Lungs and Respiration

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Illustration of the bronchial tree, from the trachea to the alveoli. BSIP/UIG/Getty Images

by Regina Bailey
Updated October 25, 2017

The lungs are organs of the respiratory system that allow us to take in and expel

air. In the breathing process, the lungs take in oxygen from the air through
inhalation. Carbon dioxide produced by cellular respiration is in turn released
through exhalation. The lungs are also closely associated with the cardiovascular
system as they are the sites for gas exchange between the air and the blood. 

01 Lung Anatomy
01 Lung Anatomy
of 06

The body contains two lungs, of which one is positioned on the left side of the chest
cavity and the other on the right side. The right lung is separated into three
divisions or lobes, while the left lung contains two lobes. Each lung is surrounded
by a two-layered membrane lining (pleura) that attaches the lungs to the chest
cavity. The membrane layers of the pleura are separated by a space filled with
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02 Lung Airways
of 06

Since the lungs are enclosed and contained within the chest cavity, they must use
special passages or airways to connect with the outside environment. The
following are structures that assist in the transportation of air to the lungs.

Nose and Mouth - openings that allow outside air to flow into the lungs. They
are also primary components of the olfactory system.

Pharynx (throat) - directs air from the nose and mouth to the larynx.

Larynx (voice box) - directs air to the windpipe and contains vocal cords for
vocalization.

Trachea (windpipe) - splits into left and right bronchial tubes, which direct
air to the left and right lungs.
 Bronchioles - smaller bronchial tubes that direct air to small air sacs known
as alveoli.

Alveoli - bronchiole terminal sacs that are surrounded by capillaries and are

the respiratory surfaces of the lungs.

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03 The Lungs and Circulation

of 06

The lungs work in conjunction with the heart and circulatory system to circulate

oxygen throughout the body. As the heart circulates blood via the cardiac cycle,
oxygen depleted blood returning to the heart is pumped to the lungs.
The pulmonary artery transports blood from the heart to the lungs. This artery
extends from the right ventricle of the heart and branches into left and right
pulmonary arteries. The left pulmonary artery extends to the left lung and the
right pulmonary artery to the right lung. The pulmonary arteries form smaller
blood vessels called arterioles which direct blood flow to the capillaries
surrounding lung alveoli.

04 Gas Exchange
of 06

The process of exchanging gases (carbon dioxide for oxygen) occurs a lung alveoli.
Alveoli are coated with a moist film that dissolves air in the lungs.
Oxygen diffuses across the thin epithelium of the alveoli sacs into the blood within
the surrounding capillaries. Carbon dioxide also diffuses from the blood in the
capillaries to the alveoli air sacs. The now oxygen rich blood is returned to the
heart via the pulmonary veins. Carbon dioxide is expelled from the lungs by
exhalation.
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05 The Lungs and Respiration

of 06

Air is supplied to the lungs through the process of breathing. The diaphragm plays
a key role in breathing. The diaphragm is a muscular partition that separates the
chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. When relaxed, the diaphragm is shaped
like a dome. This shape limits space in the chest cavity. When the diaphragm
contracts, it moves downward toward the abdominal area causing the chest cavity
to expand. This lowers the air pressure in the lungs causing air in the environment
to be pulled into the lungs through air passages. This process is called inhalation.
As the diaphragm relaxes, space in the chest cavity is reduced forcing air out of the
lungs. This is called exhalation. Regulation of breathing is a function of the
autonomic nervous system. Breathing is controlled by a region of the brain called
the medulla oblongata. Neurons in this brain region send signals to the diaphragm
and the muscles between the ribs to regulate the contractions which initiate the
breathing process.

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06 Lung Health
of 06

Natural changes in muscle, bone, lung tissue, and nervous system function over

time causes a persons lung capacity to decline with age. In order to maintain
healthy lungs, it is best to avoid smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke and
other pollutants. Protecting yourself against respiratory infections by washing
your hands and limiting your exposure to germs during cold and flu season can
also help to ensure good lung health. Regular aerobic exercise is a great activity for
improving lung capacity and health.

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