Why Are Lungs Important?

Every cell in your body needs oxygen to live. The air we breathe contains oxygen and other
gases. The respiratory system's main job is to move fresh air into your body while removing
waste gases.

Once in the lungs, oxygen is moved into the bloodstream and carried through your body. At each
cell in your body, oxygen is exchanged for a waste gas called carbon dioxide. Your bloodstream
then carries this waste gas back to the lungs where it is removed from the bloodstream and then
exhaled. Your lungs and respiratory system automatically perform this vital process, called gas
exchange.

In addition to gas exchange, your respiratory system performs other roles important to breathing.
These include:

 Bringing air to the proper body temperature and moisturizing it to the right humidity level.

 Protecting your body from harmful substances. This is done by coughing, sneezing, filtering or
swallowing them.

 Supporting your sense of smell.

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The Parts of the Respiratory System and How They

Work
Airways
 SINUSES are hollow spaces in the bones of your head above and below your eyes that are
connected to your nose by small openings. Sinuses help regulate the temperature and humidity of
inhaled air.

 The NOSE is the preferred entrance for outside air into the respiratory system. The hairs lining the
nose's wall are part of the air-cleaning system.

 Air also enters through the MOUTH, especially for those who have a mouth-breathing habit,
whose nasal passages may be temporarily blocked by a cold, or during heavy exercise.

 The THROAT collects incoming air from your nose and mouth then passes it down to the
windpipe (trachea).

 The WINDPIPE (trachea) is the passage leading from your throat to your lungs.
 The windpipe divides into the two main BRONCHIAL TUBES, one for each lung, which divides
again into each lobe of your lungs. These, in turn, split further into bronchioles.

Lungs and Blood Vessels

 Your right lung is divided into three LOBES, or sections. Each lobe is like a balloon filled with
sponge-like tissue. Air moves in and out through one opening—a branch of the bronchial tube.

 Your left lung is divided into two LOBES.

 The PLEURA are the two membranes, actually, one continuous one folded on itself, that surround
each lobe of the lungs and separate your lungs from your chest wall.

 Your bronchial tubes are lined with CILIA (like very small hairs) that move like waves. This
motion carries MUCUS (sticky phlegm or liquid) upward and out into your throat, where it is
either coughed up or swallowed. Mucus catches and holds much of the dust, germs, and other
unwanted matter that has invaded your lungs. You get rid of this matter when you cough, sneeze,
clear your throat or swallow.

 The smallest branches of the bronchial tubes are called BRONCHIOLES, at the end of which are
the air sacs or alveoli.

 ALVEOLI are the very small air sacs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes
place.

 CAPILLARIES are blood vessels in the walls of the alveoli. Blood passes through the capillaries,
entering through your PULMONARY ARTERY and leaving via your PULMONARY VEIN.
While in the capillaries, blood gives off carbon dioxide through the capillary wall into the alveoli
and takes up oxygen from air in the alveoli.

Muscles and Bones

 Your DIAPHRAGM is the strong wall of muscle that separates your chest cavity from the
abdominal cavity. By moving downward, it creates suction in the chest, drawing in air and
expanding the lungs.

 RIBS are bones that support and protect your chest cavity. They move slightly to help your lungs
expand and contract.

What Are the Lungs and Respiratory System?

The lungs and respiratory system allow us to breathe. They bring oxygen into our
bodies (called inspiration, or inhalation) and send carbon dioxide out (called expiration,
or exhalation).
This exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide is called respiration.

The Respiratory System

We take thousands of breaths a day, thanks to the respiratory system.

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© 2024 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. All rights reserved.

What Are the Parts of the Respiratory System?

The respiratory system includes the nose, mouth, throat, voice box, windpipe, and
lungs.

Air enters the respiratory system through the nose or the mouth. If it goes in the nostrils
(also called nares), the air is warmed and humidified. Tiny hairs called cilia
(pronounced: SIL-ee-uh) protect the nasal passageways and other parts of the
respiratory tract, filtering out dust and other particles that enter the nose through the
breathed air.
The two openings of the airway (the nasal cavity and the mouth) meet at the pharynx
(pronounced: FAR-inks), or throat, at the back of the nose and mouth. The pharynx is
part of the digestive system as well as the respiratory system because it carries both
food and air.

At the bottom of the pharynx, this pathway divides in two, one for food — the esophagus
(pronounced: ih-SAH-fuh-gus), which leads to the stomach — and the other for air. The
epiglottis (pronounced: eh-pih-GLAH-tus), a small flap of tissue, covers the air-only
passage when we swallow, keeping food and liquid from going into the lungs.

The larynx, or voice box, is the top part of the air-only pipe. This short tube contains a
pair of vocal cords, which vibrate to make sounds.

The trachea, or windpipe, is the continuation of the airway below the larynx. The walls of
the trachea (pronounced: TRAY-kee-uh) are strengthened by stiff rings of cartilage to
keep it open. The trachea is also lined with cilia, which sweep fluids and foreign
particles out of the airway so that they stay out of the lungs.

At its bottom end, the trachea divides into left and right air tubes called bronchi
(pronounced: BRAHN-kye), which connect to the lungs. Within the lungs, the bronchi
branch into smaller bronchi and even smaller tubes called bronchioles (pronounced:
BRAHN-kee-olz). Bronchioles end in tiny air sacs called alveoli, where the exchange of
oxygen and carbon dioxide actually takes place. Each person has hundreds of millions
of alveoli in their lungs. This network of alveoli, bronchioles, and bronchi is known as the
bronchial tree.

The lungs also contain elastic tissues that allow them to inflate and deflate without
losing shape. They're covered by a thin lining called the pleura (pronounced: PLUR-uh).

The chest cavity, or thorax (pronounced: THOR-aks), is the airtight box that houses the
bronchial tree, lungs, heart, and other structures. The top and sides of the thorax are
formed by the ribs and attached muscles, and the bottom is formed by a large muscle
called the diaphragm (pronounced: DYE-uh-fram). The chest walls form a protective
cage around the lungs and other contents of the chest cavity.

How Do the Lungs and Respiratory System Work?

The cells in our bodies need oxygen to stay alive. Carbon dioxide is made in our bodies
as cells do their jobs.

The lungs and respiratory system allow oxygen in the air to be taken into the body,
while also letting the body get rid of carbon dioxide in the air breathed out.

When you breathe in, the diaphragm moves downward toward the abdomen, and the rib
muscles pull the ribs upward and outward. This makes the chest cavity bigger and pulls
air through the nose or mouth into the lungs.
In exhalation, the diaphragm moves upward and the chest wall muscles relax, causing
the chest cavity to get smaller and push air out of respiratory system through the nose
or mouth.

Every few seconds, with each inhalation, air fills a large portion of the millions of alveoli.
In a process called diffusion, oxygen moves from the alveoli to the blood through the
capillaries (tiny blood vessels) lining the alveolar walls. Once in the bloodstream,
oxygen gets picked up by the hemoglobin in red blood cells. This oxygen-rich blood
then flows back to the heart, which pumps it through the arteries to oxygen-hungry
tissues throughout the body.

In the tiny capillaries of the body tissues, oxygen is freed from the hemoglobin and
moves into the cells. Carbon dioxide, made by the cells as they do their work, moves
out of the cells into the capillaries, where most of it dissolves in the plasma of the blood.
Blood rich in carbon dioxide then returns to the heart via the veins. From the heart, this
blood is pumped to the lungs, where carbon dioxide passes into the alveoli to be
exhaled.

Overview
A step-by-step explanation of how your lungs work.

What are your lungs?

Your lungs make up a large part of your respiratory system, which is the network of
organs and tissues that allow you to breathe.

You have two lungs, one on each side of your chest, which is also called the thorax.
Your thorax is the area of your body between your neck and your abdomen.

Right lung

The lung on your right side is divided into three lobes: the superior, the middle and the
inferior. It’s shorter than your left lung, but also wider than your left lung. Both of your
lungs are covered with a protective covering called pleural tissue.

Left lung

Your left lung has two lobes: the superior and the interior. Your left lung is smaller than
the right because your heart is where the middle lobe on your left lung would be. Your
left lung has two parts that your right lung doesn’t have: the cardiac notch (where your
heart fits) and the lingula, an extension of the superior lobe.
Function
What do lungs do?

Your lungs make oxygen available to your body and remove other gases, such as
carbon dioxide, from your body. This process takes place 12 to 20 times per minute.

When you inhale through your nose or mouth, air travels down your pharynx (back of
your throat), passes through your larynx (voice box) and into your trachea (windpipe).

Your trachea is divided into two air passages called bronchial tubes. One bronchial tube
leads to your left lung, the other to your right lung. For your lungs to perform their best,
your airways need to be open when you inhale and when you exhale. They also need to
be free from inflammation (swelling) and abnormal amounts of mucus.

Your bronchial tubes lead to smaller air passages called bronchi, and then into
bronchioles. The bronchioles end in tiny air sacs called alveoli, where oxygen is
transferred from the inhaled air to your blood. Alveoli look like clusters of small round
fruits.

After absorbing oxygen, the blood leaves your lungs and is carried to your heart. From
there, it’s pumped through your body to provide oxygen to the cells of your tissues and
organs.

When cells use oxygen, they produce carbon dioxide and transfer it to your blood. Your
bloodstream carries the carbon dioxide back to your lungs. When you exhale, you
remove the carbon dioxide.

Your respiratory system prevents harmful substances from entering your lungs by using:

 Small hairs in your nose that act as an air-cleaning system and help filter out
large particles.
 Mucus produced in your trachea and bronchial tubes to keep air passages moist
and help catch dust, bacteria and other substances.
 The sweeping motion of cilia (small hairs in your respiratory tract) to keep air
passages clean. One of the reasons that cigarette smoke is dangerous is that it
stops cilia from working properly.

Interesting facts about your lungs

 You can have lobes of your lung removed and live. You can even live with only
one lung.
 Lungs are the only organs in your body that will float.
 Exercise can help you increase your lung capacity.
 A typical adult has 300 million to 500 million alveoli.
Anatomy
Where are your lungs located?

Your lungs are located in your chest (your thorax). Your thoracic cavity is the name of
the space that contains your lungs and other organs. Your lungs rest on a muscle called
your diaphragm.

What do lungs look like?

Healthy lungs are pinkish-gray in color. You’ve probably seen photographs that
compare the lungs of people who smoke to the lungs of people who don’t. Damaged
lungs are darker gray and can have black spots in them.

Your triangularly shaped right and left lungs look a little bit like the ears of an elephant.

A typical lung in a human adult lung weighs about 2.2 pounds and is a little longer than
9 inches when you’re breathing normally, and about 10.5 inches when your lungs are
completely expanded.

Conditions and Disorders

What are the common conditions and disorders that affect your lungs?

There are many different lung conditions. Some are minor and temporary, while others
are chronic and more severe.

 Asbestosis: Inhaling asbestos fibers causes scars on your lungs and pleural
tissue.
 Asthma: Airway tightening makes breathing difficult.
 Bronchiectasis: Inflamed bronchi cause you to cough up mucus and have
trouble breathing.
 Bronchitis: The main characteristic of this condition is coughing. Bronchitis can
be acute or chronic.
 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): This is a progressive
breathing disorder that can’t be reversed.
 COVID-19: This infection can cause mild or severe respiratory illness.
 Croup: This respiratory infection happens in children under the age of 5.
 Cystic fibrosis: This inherited condition causes sticky mucus to build up in your
lungs and other organs.
 Influenza: This lung disease, known as the flu, is caused by a virus.
 Lung cancer: A major risk factor for developing lung cancer is smoking
cigarettes.
 Mesothelioma: This type of cancer is mainly caused by breathing in asbestos
fibers.
  Pneumonia: This lung infection causes fluid in your lungs and can lead to
hospitalization.
 Pulmonary fibrosis: Scarring of your lungs causes breathing difficulty. It isn’t
curable.
 Pulmonary nodules: These growths in your lungs are mainly benign
(noncancerous).
 Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): This respiratory infection can happen in
children and adults.
 Tuberculosis: This infection affects your lungs, but can also affect other body
parts.

What are some common signs or symptoms of lung conditions?

Common signs and symptoms of lung conditions include:

 Shortness of breath (dyspnea).

 Chest pain.
 Cough, especially chronic cough or coughing up blood or mucus.
 Fatigue.
 Wheezing.
 Swelling in your ankles and feet.

What are some common tests to check the health of your lungs?

Your healthcare provider can tell certain things during a physical examination. They
can:

 Listen for sounds in your lungs, including those that indicate a problem, including
crackles (also called rales), wheezing and stridor (a high-pitched noise).
 Count the number of breaths you take (your respirations).
 Hear a change in your voice while they’re listening to your lungs.
 Use a device called a pulse oximeter to measure the oxygen levels in your blood.

In addition to a physical examination, your provider may order different kinds of tests,
including:

Imaging tests show your provider what your lungs look like

 Chest X-ray.
 Computed tomography (CT) scan.
 Ultrasound.
 Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.

Lung function tests (also called pulmonary function tests) tell your provider how
well your lungs are working
  Body plethysmography.
 Diffusion testing.
 Exhaled nitric oxide test.
 Lung volume test.
 Methacholine inhalation test.
 Six-minute walk test.
 Spirometry.

Procedures that may require sedatives or anesthesia

 Bronchoscopy or endobronchial ultrasound bronchoscopy (EBUS).

 Lung biopsy.
 Thoractomy. Your surgeon makes a cut in between your ribs so they can
diagnose or treat body parts located in your chest.

What are common treatments for lung conditions?

If you have a lung condition, your treatment will depend on your actual condition, as well
as your health status. Types of treatments may include medications, exercises, devices
and surgeries.

Medications may be offered as inhalers, nebulizer solutions, oral products or

injections (shots)

 Steroids to reduce inflammation (swelling) in airways.

 Antibiotics to treat infections.
 Bronchodilators to open up airways. These come in long-acting and short-acting
versions.
 Mucolytics to make mucus thinner so it’s easier to cough up and out.
 Oxygen therapy to improve your oxygen levels.
 Chemotherapy and/or radiation to treat cancers.
 Vaccines to help prevent infections.

Exercises and devices

 Pursed lip breathing.

 Diaphragmatic breathing.
 Airway clearance devices, including vest therapy. These products help to clear
your airways of mucus.

Surgeries

 Lobectomy, the removal of one lobe of the lung.

 Bilobectomy, the removal of two lobes of the lung.
 Removal of sections of lungs.
 Thoracentesis, a procedure to drain fluid from your lungs.
  Thoracotomy.
 Pneumonectomy, the removal of one lung.
 Lung transplant.

Care
What can I do to keep my lungs healthy?

There are many things you can do to keep your lungs healthy or to help manage lung
conditions.

1. The first thing you can do is to stop smoking and vaping.

2. Try to reach and maintain a healthy weight. People with obesity have less space
for lung expansion.
3. Exercise regularly. Check with your provider before you start exercising.
4. Eat healthy foods in moderation.
5. Stay hydrated, unless your provider gives you a limit on how much liquid you can
drink.
6. Get the vaccines that your provider suggests.
7. Wash your hands well to avoid infections.
8. Limit your exposure to people who are sick.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Even though your respiratory system has ways to protect the body, your lungs can still
get sick. Some conditions aren’t serious and are over quickly. Other conditions are more
serious and long-lasting. If you have a chronic lung illness, your regular healthcare
provider may refer you to a pulmonologist. It’s important to follow the suggestions from
your healthcare team so you can breathe easily.