The lungs are the largest organs in your body that work with your respiratory organs, such as the nose and larynx to facilitate respiration. With the help of your lungs, you are able to take in fresh air, get rid of stale air, and even talk. Two highly elastic and shiny lungs are in your body and both are conical in shape. Furthermore, your lungs consist of a complex set of branching tubes for conducting and filtering air.
Definition
The lungs are the primary organ of the respiratory system. The chief function of your lungs is to filter blood and enrich it with oxygen before distribution in all parts of your body.
Characteristics
Besides being highly elastic, shiny and smooth, lungs are light, porous and spongy in texture. Your lungs are the only organ in the body that will float on water.
Location
The right and left lungs are located inside your chest cavity just above the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a dome-shaped sheet of muscles that expands and contracts to inflate or deflate your lungs. Your rib cage holds your lungs in place.
The left lung is divided into two lobes: the superior and inferior. The right lung is divided into three lobes: the superior, middle, and inferior. The two lungs are divided by a structure called the mediastinum, which is located at the middle of your chest cavity.
Structure
Much of the lung tissue consists of a complex set of branching tubes---the bronchi, bronchioles and alveolar ducts. These tubes conduct air throughout all parts of the lungs.
Surrounding the tubes and ducts are approximately 300 million alveoli and associated blood vessels. The alveoli, according to the Interactive Respiratory Physiology of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, "are the final branchings of the respiratory tree and act as the primary gas exchange units of the lung."
Function
The lungs facilitate respiration in your body. Respiration starts when you breathe in (inhalation), causing the diaphragm to contract and consequently making your lungs expand. Then simultaneous filtration of blood and air happens in the alveoli of your lungs. Lastly, the carbon dioxide, which is a waste product of your cells, is forced out from your body as the diaphragm relaxes (exhalation).
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