Jun 06 2009
Lung Anatomy and Function of the Lungs
The lungs make up the respiratory system which consists of a right and left lung. The right lung is divided into three lobes and the left has two lobs (a third theoretical lobe known as the lingula exists). When you take a breath, your diaphragm contracts and moves downward, causing a negative pressure to occur inside of your lungs. This negative pressure allows air to move into your lungs. You do not actually suck air into your lungs, air rushes into your lungs due to the pressure being lower inside of your lungs.
The air enters your mouth or nose and travels down into the trachea, into the bronchi, and eventually into the alveoli. The alveoli are the small sac like structures that are found at the lungs smallest level.
Once air (oxygen) is in your lungs, it is then exchange for carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a waste product of the cells that form your entire body. The oxygen moves into your blood and carbon dioxide moves out of your blood into your lungs. When you exhale, you are letting out all your carbon dioxide waste. This exhange takes place at the alveoli.
