Pleura (or Pleurae) and Pleural Cavity of the Lungs
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Introduction to Lungs Anatomy
- The soft, elastic lungs occupy most of the thoracic cavity and are protected from injury by the surrounding the
sternum and rib cage.
- Both right lung and left lung rest on the diaphragm muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities.
Continue learning about the lungs and surrounding structures of the respiratory system with these interactive quizzes and labelling exercises.
- A large portion of each lung consists of blood vessels (arteries, veins, & capillaries) and respiratory tubes (bronchi, bronchioles, & alveolar ducts).
- Most of the lung volume, however, is made of small clusters of alveoli. Each alveolus is a small, thin-walled, cup-shaped sac that protrudes from the smallest air ducts.
- There are approximately 300 million alveoli in each lung, and they are the regions where gases are exchanged with nearby capillaries.
An Overview of Lung Anatomy:
Test yourself by observing Lung Anatomy
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Walls of connective tissue (or septa) partitioned the bronchopulmonary segments into many polygonal-shaped secondary pulmonary lobules. A secondary pulmonary lobule typically contains 3-5 terminal bronchioles.
Respiratory System Anatomy – Major Zones & Divisions
The respiratory is separated into the conducting zone and the respiratory zone.
The conducting zone include structures that facilitate air to move in and out of the lungs.
The respiratory zone allow inhaled oxygen to diffuse into the lung capillaries in exchange for carbon dioxide.
Respiratory Membrane and Gas Exchange
An interactive demonstration of the structure of the respiratory membrane and the mechanism of gas exchange occurring in the lungs.
