Lungs: Location, Anatomy, Functions & Complications

Introduction 

Healthy lungs are essential to breathe easily. It is a vital part of the respiratory system and does the essential function of adding oxygen and eliminating carbon dioxide from the body. 

The lungs, breathing muscles, and blood system should work efficiently for adequate breathing. Avoiding smoking may help prevent a few diseases.  

Lungs and its location 

The biggest organ in the respiratory system is the lungs. The respiratory system consists of the nose, oropharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and lungs. 

Your two lungs are in the thorax area, the space between your neck and abdomen and on each side of your chest.  

The lungs stand on the muscle named the diaphragm. Pleural tissue is a defensive layer that covers both of your lungs. Your rib cage protects your lungs. 

Right Lung 

The right side lung is divided into three lobes: the superior, the middle & the inferior. The right lung is shorter yet more comprehensive than the left lung.  

Left Lung 

The left side lung is divided into two lobes: the superior and the inferior. Your heart occupies the middle lobe of your left lung, and that’s why your left lung is smaller than the right one. The left lung has two parts, the cardiac notch and lingua, which the right one doesn’t have.  

Anatomy  

Your lungs are pinkish, roughly triangular and resemble elephant ears. The size and shape of the lungs are not equal.  

An average adult’s lung weight is around 2.2 pounds. When breathing, it is 9 inches; it becomes 10.5 inches when fully expanded. 

The Airways 

The airways are an extensive network of airways (tubes) inside the lungs that assist in transferring oxygen and carbon dioxide into the lungs. These tubes multiply into smaller and smaller ones the more they enter the lungs. 

Trachea  

This tube joins the nose and mouth to the lungs. The trachea is backed by cartilage rings, which help keep the airway open. The airway divides into two bronchi at the base of the trachea. 

Bronchi 

There are two bronchi, right and left. Each one contributes to its respective lungs. Bronchi are also supported by cartilage.  

Bronchioles 

These airways join the bronchi to the alveoli. Cartilage does not support them, which can place them at substantial risk of collapse.  

Alveoli 

These are the tiny air sacs found at the end of the bronchioles. There are about 600 million alveoli in your lungs, and they look like little grape bunches. It is here that the oxygen and carbon dioxide pass between the lungs and the blood system. 

Function 

The vital function of the lungs is respiration. The air from the atmosphere enters the mouth and nose and moves down the throat into the trachea. From the trachea into the lungs through the right and left main bronchi.  

From main bronchi into smaller bronchi airways. From smaller bronchi to even smaller bronchiole tubes and finally into alveoli. The oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange happens here.  

The other functions of the lungs are balancing the pH of the body, protecting the body from harmful substances and enabling speech.  

The mucus is created in the airways of our lungs. It assists in keeping our lungs clean and well-lubricated by catching unwanted materials.  

Common Conditions And Disorders  

The lung conditions and disorders will prevent the lungs from functioning correctly. Many factors cause lung disease, such as viruses, bacteria, chemicals, polluted air, cigarettes, tobacco, and allergies. 

Lung diseases can be temporary and chronic.  

Lung diseases can also be categorised as obstructive and restrictive diseases. Obstructive diseases make airways narrow, thus making it hard for air to flow out of the lungs. In restrictive diseases, the lungs or chest muscles won’t able to expand enough. 

Airway Diseases 

The airways are the tubes that transfer oxygen and other gases in and out of the lungs. These airway diseases affect the tubes by blocking or narrowing them. Airway diseases include: 

• Asthma 
• Bronchiolitis 
• Bronchiectasis 
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) 

Lung Circulation Diseases 

Blood vessels in the lungs are affected by this kind of disease. They affect the capacity of the lungs to absorb oxygen and release carbon dioxide.  

This disease may impact heart function. Pulmonary hypertension comes under the category of lung circulation disease.  

Lung Tissue Diseases 

These diseases affect the architecture of the lung tissue by scarring or inflammation. Lung tissue diseases include Pulmonary fibrosis and Sarcoidosis.  

Other Lung Diseases 

• Lung cancer 
• Pleural cavity diseases 

Signs and Symptoms of Lung Conditions  

• Chest pain 
• Cough, particularly chronic cough or coughing up blood or mucus. 
• Shortness of breath  
• Fatigue 
• Wheezing 
• Swelling in your ankles and feet 

Lung Function Tests 

These standard functions and tests may help screen and diagnose chronic lung illness. People suffering from any respiratory disorder will take some of these tests frequently. 

Spirometry is the most general type of lung function test. It calculates how much and rapidly you can move air in and out of your lungs. 

Exercise stress test shows how lung function is affected during exercise. 

The lung volume test is also called body plethysmography. This test calculates the amount of air you can hold in your lungs and the amount of air that remains in you after the exhalation. 

Blood tests, Chest X-rays, Arterial blood gas tests, Lung diffusion capacity, and Exhaled nitric oxide tests are some standard tests. 

Lung Treatments 

• Lung treatments differ according to the cause of the disorder.  
• Antibiotics for tuberculosis 
• Anti-fungal medications for fungal infection 
• Anti-viral drugs for viral pneumonia 
• Anti-inflammatory medications for asthma and severe allergies 
• Inhaled bronchodilators  
• Immune system medications 
• Heartburn (GERD) drugs  

Tips For Healthy Lungs 

Avoid smoking 

This is the number one way to keep your lungs healthy. 

Avoid using tobacco products

Tobacco consumption has been classified as the single most avoidable health risk.  

Avoid going out in polluted environments

Pollutants can increase your risk of lung disease or worsen the existing one.  

Do aerobic exercises 

Exercise can make the body efficient in getting oxygen and strengthen the lungs. 

Wash your hands with soap and water many times a day

Adopting good hygiene practices is crucial to prevent infections. 

Regular health checkups  

Regular health checkups can show how well your lungs work. 

Conclusion 

The lungs are the foundational organs for the breathing process. This complex system is designed for the exchange of gases. It is also the central location for the significant proposition of human diseases. 

The health of our lungs will decline naturally. However, we can take a few steps to mitigate that effect.  

FAQs