Lungs are the air-filled sacs that we breathe. They contain a number of bronchi, which branch off into smaller tubes called bronchioles. These bronchi stretch out to almost every part of the lungs. Some bronchioles are even thinner than a human hair, and there are nearly 30,000 of them in the lungs.
Describes the lungs
The lungs are the organs that carry oxygen and other gases from the body. They also allow harmful waste material to escape the body. The lungs are surrounded by structures that help them function efficiently. The diaphragm, intercostal muscles between the ribs, and muscles of the neck all aid in the process of breathing.
The lungs are cone-shaped organs that are located in the chest. They are separated from the heart by structures on the mediastinum. The base of the lung is rounded and the apex extends into the neck at the level of the first rib. The lung has three surfaces: an anterior, posterior, and medial surface. The lungs receive bronchial vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves via a slit in the mediastinum.
Each bronchiole is composed of thousands of tiny air sacs called alveoli. These sacs cover the surface area of the lung and more than 100 square meters. In addition to the alveoli, the alveolar walls also contain a dense network of blood vessels. These blood vessels transport oxygen and carbon dioxide from the alveoli into the blood.
Explains alveoli
The basic concept behind the process of air exchange in the lung is the role of alveoli. These tiny sacs contain gas and water. When they are filled, these sacs create surface tension. This surface tension drags on the alveolar walls. However, the pressure of the alveolar fluid opposes this force. This prevents alveoli from collapsing. Moreover, the small volume of the alveoli means that they are smaller in radius. Therefore, the pressure of the air entering them decreases during breath out.
The walls of the alveoli contain tiny blood vessels that carry oxygen to the blood and release carbon dioxide to the air. The alveolar tissue is surrounded by networks of blood vessels called capillaries. The alveolar tissue consists of two types of cells: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 cells cover 95 percent of the alveolar surface. They produce a substance called surfactant to maintain airway balance.
The alveolar cells have one cell-thick walls that are in contact with each other. As a result, the cells are small and easy to see. The air-blood barrier is 1 micron thick, and the oxygen passes in and the carbon dioxide passes out.
Explains pleura
The pleura in the lung is a very important part of the respiratory system. It cushions the lungs from friction and helps them expand and contract. Injuries to the pleura can lead to various complications including pleural effusions, collapsed lungs, and cancer. In some cases, the pleura can be removed or repaired through a variety of surgical procedures.
A pleural effusion is a collection of fluid between the pleura and the chest wall. It can be caused by a number of factors including pneumonia, heart disease, liver, kidney, or even cancer. Most often, however, pleural effusion is the result of congestive heart failure, and the treatment for this condition involves removing the fluid and addressing the underlying disease.
The pleura covers the inside of the lung, but is separated from the chest wall by a thin membrane known as the diaphragm. The inner layer is known as the visceral pleura, while the outer layer is known as the parietal pleura. The inner layer of the pleura is made up of mesothelial cells. The outer layer of the pleura is made up of a loose connective tissue called the subpleura.
The pleura is a delicate membrane covering the inside of the lung. It folds back on itself into a membranous sac that is filled with a thin lubricating fluid. The visceral pleura lines the surface of the lung and dips into the spaces between the lobes. The parietal pleura lines the chest wall and the diaphragm and joins the visceral pleura at the hilum.
Explains pleural fissure
A pleural fissure is a space that separates the upper and lower lobes of the lung. On a chest X-ray, these fissures appear as lines on the image. These fissures are usually tangential to the X-ray beam.
There are several possible causes of a pleural fissure. In some cases, it’s a sign of a complication. One of the most common causes of a pleural effusion is a pulmonary disease. The underlying condition is a disorder of the lining of the lung. If the lining of the lung becomes thin, fluid can collect in the lungs.
The lining of the lungs is composed of two thin layers, called pleura. The inner pleura covers the lungs, while the outer pleura lines the rib cage. The outer pleura protects the lungs from foreign objects and acts as a lubricant.
If you have a pleural effusion, you should consult a physician as soon as possible. A doctor will look for a thin layer of fluid that is abnormally thick. Normally, this layer of liquid helps adhere the visceral pleura to the parietal pleura and lubricate the interface between the two. As the volume of the fluid increases, the effusion will become more visible on imaging. A small pleural effusion will often appear as blunting of the lateral costophrenic sulcus on a frontal view. In some cases, a lateral blunting may not be present, but this does not mean the effusion is not present.
Describes lobes
The human lung is made up of multiple lobes. Each lobe is divided into several smaller segments, which are associated with segmental bronchi. They are third-order branches of the main bronchus. The right lung has three major lobes, while the left lung has two. Each lobe has hundreds of smaller lobules. Each lobule contains a bronchiole and affiliated branches, thin walls, and clusters of alveoli.
The costal surface of the lung has a rounded posterior border. This border coincides with the heads of adjacent ribs. The medial surface is concave and has numerous indentations. It is divided into two parts, the anterior medial surface and the dorsal medial surface. It is situated next to the thoracic vertebrae and intervertebral discs.
The left lung is slightly smaller than the right lung due to the presence of the heart. The left lung has a blunt superior end, whereas the right lung has a lower base that sits on the diaphragm. The three surfaces of the lung are separated by fissures. These lobes are also divided by a base and apex.
Explains lung diseases
There are several sites available on the Internet that explain lung diseases in an easy to understand manner. The British Lung Foundation has an excellent site where you can get all the latest information and news on lung disease. You can also find out about some of the common diseases and symptoms of the disease. Another good site to visit is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The website explains the symptoms and risks associated with exposure to infected ticks.
