Significance of the Human Lungs

Each cell of our body requires oxygen for survival. The air we breathe in contains oxygen and some gases. The primary job of our respiratory system is to transfer fresh air into our body as well as to remove waste gases from our body. As soon as the oxygen reaches our lungs, it is taken into the bloodstream and carried through our body. In each cell of our body, oxygen is exchanged for a waste gas known as carbon dioxide. This waste gas is taken back to our lungs by the bloodstream, where it is removed from the bloodstream and then exhaled. This essential phenomenon is known as gas exchange, which human lungs and respiratory system perform automatically.

Apart from gas exchange, our respiratory system performs some others roles as well which are essential for breathing such as:

1. Adjusting the air’s temperature to the proper body temperature and adjusting its moisture content.
2. Shielding our body from dangerous materials which is accomplished by sneezing, coughing, filtering, or ingesting them.
3. Enhancing our olfactory perception i.e., our sense of smell.

Apart from breathing, the lungs carry out various other physiological functions. They allow for the absorption and excretion of pharmaceutical drugs, alcohol, and water. They can absorb and eliminate anesthetic gases like nitrous oxide and ether. Furthermore, the lung is a real metabolic organ. It is involved in the synthesis, storage, transformation, and breakdown of a wide range of compounds, such as histamine, prostaglandins, as well as pulmonary surfactant.

Also Read:

• Anatomy of the Human Lung – w3wiki
• Human Respiratory System – Description, Parts, Functions .
• Difference Between Right And Left Lung
• Inspiration and Expiration – Definition, Mechanism, and FAQs

Diagram of Human Lungs shows that the lungs begin at the bottom of our trachea. The trachea is a tube that carries the air in and out of our lungs. Each lung has a tube known as a bronchus that connects to the trachea. The trachea and bronchi airways form an upside-down “Y” in our chest which is known as the bronchial tree. The bronchi branch off into smaller bronchi and even smaller tubes called bronchioles. Each bronchiole tube ends with a cluster of small air sacs called alveoli where the gaseous exchange takes place. In this section, we will explain the diagram of the human lung in detail.