3. Gross Anatomy of Lungs
• Each cone shaped lung is surrounded by pleurae and
connected to the mediastinum by vascular and bronchial
attachment , called the lung root
• The anterior, lateral, and posterior lung surface lie in close
contact with the ribs and form the continuously curving
costal surface
• The narrow superior tip of the lung is called the apex
• The concave, inferior surface that rests on the diaphragm
is the base
• On the mediastinal surface of each lung, there is an
indentation called the hilum
4. Gross anatomy of lungs
• The two lungs differ in size and shape because the apex
of the heart is slightly to the left of the median plane
• The left lung is smaller than the right lung
• Cardiac notch is a concavity in it’s medial aspect that is
modeled to and accommodates the heart
• The left lung is subdivided into two superior and inferior
lobes by the oblique fissure
• The right lung is subdivided into superior, middle and
inferior lobes by the oblique and horizontal fissure
• The smallest subdivisions of the lung visible with the
naked eye are the lobules
5. Structure of the Lungs
• The trachea divides into two main bronchi that enters the
root of the lungs
• The bronchi continue to divide with in the lung, and after
multiple divisions, give rise to bronchioles
• The bronchial tree continues branching until it reached the
level of terminal bronchioles, which lead to alveolar sacs
• Alveolar sacs are made up of cluster of alveoli
• The individual alvioli are tightly wrapped in blood vessels
and it is here that gas exchange actually occur
• The surface area of the lung is larger than the surface
area of the skin
6. Lungs Respiratory Function
• Transport oxygen from the atmosphere into the blood
stream
• Release carbon dioxide from the blood stream into the
atmosphere
• The exchange of gases is accomplished in the mosaic of
specialized cells that form millions of tiny, exceptionally
thin-walled air sacs called alveoli
• The drawing and expulsion of air (ventilation) is driven by
muscular action
7. Lungs Non Respiratory Function
• Filter out small blood clots formed in veins
• May serve as a layer of soft, shock- absorbent for the
heart
• Maintains sterility by producing mucus containing
antimicrobial compounds
• Celiar escalator action is an important defense system
against air-born infections
• Provide airflow for the creation of vocal sound
• Immunoglobin-A is secreted in the bronchial secretion and
protects against respiratory infection
8. Lung Conditions
• Chronic Bronchitis: Repeated, frequent episodes of
productive cough
• Pneumonia: Infection in one or both lugs
• Asthma: The lungs airways (bronchi) becomes inflamed
and can spasm, causing shortness of breath and
wheezing
• Acute Bronchitis: An infection of the lungs large airways,
usually caused by virus
• Pulmonary Fibrosis: The interstitum becomes scarred,
making the lungs stiff and causing shortness of breath
• Pleurisy: Inflammation of the lining of the lung (pleura),
which often causes pain when breathing in
9. Lung Conditions
• Lung Cancer: Cancer can affect almost any part of the
lung. Most lung cancer is caused by smoking
• Tuberculosis: A slowly progressive pneumonia caused by
a bacteria Mycobacterium Tuberculosis
• Emphysema: The fragile walls between the lungs air sacs
are damaged, trapping air in the lungs and making
breathing difficult
10. Lung Tests
• Chest X-ray: X-ray is most common first test for lung
problem
• Computer Tomography (CT Scan): A CT scan uses x-rays
and a computer to make detailed picture of the lung
• Spirometer: Measures how fast and how much air a
person can breath out
• Pulmonary Function Test (PFTs): Serious of tests to
evaluate how well the lungs work
• Sputum Culture: Culturing mucus can sometimes identify
the organism responsible for a Pneumonia or Bronchitis
• Lung Biopsy: A small piece of tissue is taken from the
lung. Examining the biopsied tissue under microscope
can help diagnose lung conditions
11. Lung Treatments
• Thoracotomy: A surgery that enters the chest wall (thorax)
• Video Assisted Thorascopic surgery (VATS): Less-
invasive chest wall surgery using an endoscope
• Plurocentesis: A needle is placed into the chest cavity to
drain fluid that’s around the lung
• Bronchodilators: Inhaled medicines can help expand the
airways (bronchi)
• Lung Transplant: Surgical removal of diseased lung and
replacement with organ donor lungs
• Lung Resection: A diseased portion of the lung is
removed through surgery
12. Medical Terminology
• Pulmon/o – Lung
• Pulmonary – Pertaining to the lung
• Pulmonology – Study of lungs
• Pulmonologist – A physician who specializes in lungs
• Pneumonitis – Inflammation of the lungs
13. References
• Book – Human Anatomy and Physiology
• By Elain N. Marieb, Katja Hoehn
• Www. WebMD.com
• en.wikipenda.org
