How our lungs work

[ALUK_Nurses]

Hiya, our wonderful media team at Asthma + Lung UK have created this great content, an overview of lungs and how they work. Do take a look 👀

The respiratory system includes your airways, lungs, fluids, bones and muscles. Ever wondered how each of these parts work together to help you breathe?

👃 The airways

When you breathe in air through your nose or mouth, it passes through your windpipe. The windpipe is also called the trachea.

💨 The lungs

Your lungs are made up of areas called lobes. Your left lung is smaller than your right because it shares the left side of the chest with your heart. Your right lung has three lobes, and your left lung has two.

⭕ The pleura

The pleura is a thin covering (membrane) that surrounds your lungs. It is in two layers, with a liquid called pleural fluid in between. Pleural fluid helps your lungs move freely when you breathe in and out.

🦴 Bones and muscles

Your lungs and heart are protected by your ribs, which are bones that form a cage in your chest.

In between your ribs, there are muscles called intercostal muscles. Below your ribs, there is a muscle called the diaphragm. These muscles help breathing.

If you would like to find out more about how our lungs work, visit: asthmaandlung.org.uk/how-yo...