Lungs – Internal Organs Exposed to The Outside World

Published by pjetimages
November 23, 2009, Category: Human Biology

Your lungs are your life. They are the essential organ that intakes the vital oxygen needed to run your entire body and to operate your brain. They are located on either side of your heart, and contain tree-like branches to channel the air into the blood vessels.

Identification

The lungs are located inside the ribcage, on either side of the heart. They extend from the collarbone to lowest rib connected to the sternum. They are a spongy mass that have interconnected airways that, if strung end to end, would measure 1500 miles.

Structures

Air travels from our nose or mouth into our trachea, into the major bronchial tubes, each leading to a lung. The bronchi split off into smaller branches, eventually leading into the bronchioles, then to alveolar sacs. Each sac consists of bunches of alveoli, which are wrapped in blood vessels. These blood vessels exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen every time we breathe.

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The air passages are covered with tiny little hairs designed to trap dust and other particles in the air, while simultaneously warming the air before it reaches the lungs.

The diaphragm, a muscle located under the lungs, continuously flattens and contracts as we breathe. Its contractions force air out of the lungs and its flattening allows air to fill the lungs.

Capacity

Lung capacity is a subjective number, having to do with the individual’s age, weight, gender, and height. Normal ranges are from four to six liters, or one to one and a half US gallons of air. Humans breathe between 2,100 and 2,400 gallons of air per day, which is necessary to re-oxygenate the 2,400 gallons of blood pumped by the heart every day.

Functions

Lungs are not only important for the oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange, but they also filter small blood clots in the veins, equalize the pH levels in the blood, filter mini-bubbles out of the blood originating from scuba diving, serve as a shock absorber for the heart, and providing air to vibrate the vocal chords during speech.

Fun Facts

The lungs are the only internal organ that has repeated exposure to the outside world.
Your left lung is slightly smaller than your right to allow room for your heart.
Healthy lungs are pink and spongy. Smokers lungs are hardened and brown or black from the tar.