Lung
From Ganfyd
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Contents |
Anatomy
The lungs are the organs of respiration taking up the bulk of the thorax.
Left lung
This has only two fully developed lobes.
Right lung
This has three lobes.
- Clinical implications
It is useful to know the direction of the bronchi to each lobe of each lung in order to advise patients with infection in one lobe what posture they should adopt to try to improve drainage from it. For bronchoscopy the segmental bronchial orientation is relevant.
Histology
Main features:
- Alveoli lined by Type 1 and Type 2 pneumocytes
- Macrophages
- Capillaries
Physiology
Control of respiration
Muscles employed in respiration
Gas exchange
Enzymatic reactions
Lung transplant
Transplantation of the heart and lungs may be performed in some cases.
