What make up the lungs?

Structure

* The lungs are paired organs located in the chest cavity on either side of the heart.

* The right lung is larger than the left lung and has three lobes while the left lung has only two.

* Each lung is covered by a thin layer of pleura, which is a serous membrane that helps to lubricate and protect the lungs.

* The lungs are made up of millions of tiny air sacs called alveoli. The alveoli are lined with capillaries, which are tiny blood vessels.

* Oxygen from the air we breathe diffuses across the alveoli into the capillaries. Carbon dioxide, a waste product of metabolism, diffuses from the capillaries into the alveoli.

* The oxygen-rich blood is then pumped by the heart to the rest of the body, while the carbon dioxide-rich blood is pumped to the lungs to be exhaled.

Parts

* Bronchi: The lungs are divided into lobes by large airways called bronchi. Each lung has a main bronchus that divides into smaller bronchi that supply each lobe of the lung.

* Bronchioles: The bronchi divide into smaller airways called bronchioles. The bronchioles lead to the alveoli.

* Alveoli: The alveoli are tiny air sacs where oxygen from the air we breathe diffuses across into the capillaries.

* Capillaries: The capillaries are tiny blood vessels that surround the alveoli. Oxygen from the alveoli diffuses into the capillaries, while carbon dioxide diffuses from the capillaries into the alveoli.

Functions

* The primary function of the lungs is to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide with the air we breathe.

* The lungs also play a role in:

* Regulating body temperature

* Filtering out dust, pollen, and other particles from the air

* Producing hormones such as angiotensin II, which helps to regulate blood pressure

* Storing blood