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The lungs are the organs in the chest involved in breathing. The lungs are surrounded and protected by the rib cage. The lung on the left side of the body is a little smaller than the lung on the right.
The lungs transfer oxygen from the air to the blood and remove carbon dioxide (a waste material) from the blood. When you breathe in, oxygen moves out of the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs into the blood, where it is carried to every cell in your body. At the same time, carbon dioxide moves out of your blood and into the air sacs. You push the carbon dioxide out of your lungs when you breathe out. This process is called respiration.
Current as of: November 14, 2022
Author: Healthwise StaffMedical Review: E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal MedicineAdam Husney MD - Family MedicineElizabeth T. Russo MD - Internal Medicine
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Elizabeth T. Russo MD - Internal Medicine
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