The primary organs of the respiratory system in human beings are the lungs. The lungs are a pair of spongy organs filled with air and are located on either side of the thorax. The right lung is made up of three lobes and is a little wider and shorter than the left lung. The right lung is a little shorter because it has to make space for the liver which sits right beneath it. The left lung is made up of two lobes and is narrower because it has to make space for the heart.
Functions of the Lungs
The lungs are the most significant part of the respiratory system. This system is divided into upper respiratory tract and lower respiratory tract. The upper respiratory tract consists of the mouth and nose, nasal cavity, throat and the larynx. The lower respiratory tract consists of the lungs, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli. The lungs form a part of the lower respiratory tract that begins at the trachea. The trachea is a tube that carries air in and out of our lungs. As we breathe, the air travels down the throat and into the trachea. The trachea further divides into smaller passages called the bronchial tubes which go into each lung and further divide into smaller branches throughout the lungs known as bronchioles. Each bronchiole tube ends with a cluster of small air sacs known as alveoli. The air we breathe reaches till the alveoli. There are about 400 to 500 million alveoli in the lungs. It is in the alveoli that the oxygen from the air is absorbed into the blood. The carbon dioxide, which is the waste product of metabolism, travels from the blood to the alveoli where it can be exhaled.
Diseases of the Lungs
The lungs can have a wide range of problems ranging from short term to chronic. The most common disorders are
Asthma , Bronchitis,
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) ,
Pneumonia ,
Tuberculosis and
Lung Cancer . Asthma is the most common lung condition. Asthma attacks happen when due to any reason the airways become tight and narrow hence restricting the airflow. Bronchitis happens when a viral or bacterial infection causes infection in the bronchi. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a very common cause of death and is usually caused by smoking, pollution or it could be genetic. Pneumonia is an infection that occurs deep within the bronchioles and alveoli, and causes swelling in the lungs. The most common causes of respiratory disorders are bacteria, viruses, mold, chemicals, polluted air, smoking, second hand smoke and various allergies such as allergies to dust, pollen, pets, and food.
A lot of the lung conditions arise due to genetics, bad habits and an unhealthy lifestyle.
Disclaimer: The information in no way constitutes, or should be construed as medical advice. Nor is the above article an endorsement of any research findings discussed in the article an endorsement for any of the source publications.
References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lung
- https://www.webmd.com/lung/picture-of-the-lungs#1
- https://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/lung#causes
- https://www.livescience.com/52250-lung.html
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