Lungs are the pair of spongy, pinkish-gray organs located in the chest, and they are part of the respiratory system, which is responsible for bringing oxygen into the body and removing carbon dioxide
. The main components of the lungs include:
- Bronchial tubes : These are the airways that carry air in and out of the lungs
- Bronchioles : These are the smallest branches of the bronchial tubes, and they end in tiny air sacs called alveoli
- Alveoli : These are the very small air sacs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place
. There are hundreds of millions of alveoli in the lungs
- Diaphragm : A strong muscle just below the lungs that helps pull air into the body and push it out again
- Pleura : A thin lining that covers the lungs and helps them inflate and deflate without losing shape
The respiratory system works by moving fresh air into the body while removing waste gases. When you inhale, air enters your lungs, and oxygen from that air moves to your blood. At the same time, carbon dioxide, a waste gas, moves from your blood to the lungs and is exhaled
. The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide is called respiration
. Lungs are essential for providing oxygen to the body's cells, which need oxygen to live. The air we breathe contains oxygen and other gases, and the respiratory system's main job is to move fresh air into the body while removing waste gases
. Lungs are just a few parts of the body that make up the respiratory system, which also includes airways, blood vessels surrounding the lungs, and the muscles that help you breathe
