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Basic lung anatomy
The lungs are vital organs in the chest that are part of the respiratory system which facilitates breathing.
Here’s a summary of the anatomy of the respiratory system.
Main Components of Respiratory System
- Trachea (Windpipe): divides into two primary bronchi, one for each lung.
- Bronchi: airways that branch into smaller bronchioles.
- Bronchioles: lead to alveoli, where gas exchange occurs.
- Lungs: primary organs for breathing, located on either side of the heart; dense spongy tissue comprised of
- Alveoli: tiny air sacs where oxygen diffuses into blood and carbon dioxide is removed. About 240 million in each lung (compare to 1 million glomeruli in each kidney)
- Hilum: where the bronchus and pulmonary artery and vein enter the lung
- Pleura: a double-layered membrane surrounding each lung, reducing friction during breathing.
- Diaphragm: A large muscle located below the lungs that separates the chest from the abdomen and helps with breathing.
- Ribcage: The bony structure surrounding and protecting the lungs.
Lung Structure
- Cone shaped organs
- Right Lung: divided into three lobes (upper, middle, lower); shorter to allow for liver below. Is it bigger and heavier than the left (see below)
- Left Lung: divided into two lobes (upper, lower); narrower to allow for the heart.
Upper and Lower Lobes
Lateral chest x-ray of R lung
Note. Most of the posterior (back) of the lung is the the lower lobe, and most of the anterior (front) is the upper lobe.
Blood Supply
- Pulmonary Arteries: carry deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs.
- Pulmonary Veins: carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart.
Weight of Lungs
- The total weight of both lungs in an adult is approximately 1.4 kilograms, with the right lung generally heavier than the left
- Individual lung weights vary, but a healthy right lung can weigh around 660g and a left lung around 580g for males
- Whilst female lungs are typically lighter
- Lung weight is not significantly correlated with body weight or BMI.
How They Work Together
- Air Intake: When you inhale, air enters through your airways.
- Gas Exchange: Air travels to the lungs’ air sacs (alveoli), where oxygen moves into the blood and carbon dioxide is released from the blood.
- Blood Supply: The heart and blood vessels work with the lungs to carry oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from the tissues and organs.
Interesting Lung Facts
- An average person breathes in (and out) around 11,000 litres of air every day.
This summary provides a concise overview of lung anatomy.
